“ ...Why 15,000 men lie wounded and bleeding upon the battlefield...”

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014

Good Union soldier’s letter written by Will Robinson, 4p. quarto, pencil, In Camp on Mill Creek, Tennessee, December 23, 1862, with cover addressed to his brothers, in part: “...It is with a sad heart that I have been looking over the Northern papers and reading of the terrible loss of life at Fred’h what is the cause or who is to blame is not for us to say but I sincerely hope that the ones that engaged the movement will have their heads taken off. The N.Y. Tribune can see cause for congratulation in the almost one sided contest - what words of cheer for the soldiers in the Field. Congratulation; for what? Why 15,000 men lie wounded and bleeding upon the battlefield who were rushed upon formidable entrenchments without the aid of artillery to show the people that we mean fight go it Blind, Tis only Human Life we sacrifice...I am sick and weary of the doings at Washington too many Generals and too few who seek the true glory of our Country. Too many who are wishing for place & power who are dishonest at heart and wish the glory of a successful campaign but if it fails they avoid any of the Responsibilities...We are lying quitely some six miles from Nashville started as escort to forage train the 4th Brigade of our Div. tried it and the Butternuts drove them into camp...we started at day break with 140 6 mule wagons...77th in the advance skirmishing when we discovered a battery comdg the road...advanced upon a ridge of hills...formed line of battle about 1 1/2 miles long cirlcing enough to fill our wagons and threw out skirmishers and set the wagoneers to filling up from the different cribs & barns so kindly filled by an old Secesh farmer. The enemy were in full sight of us all the time sometimes firing at us from one point then another but the boys instead of going away from them kept working nearere continually firing and our guns shot farther than theirs and made them uncomfortable...” VG.

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