Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
A fine war-date Union soldier's battle letter 3 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Frank Ashley, Co. H, 64th Ohio, "Camp near Atlanta, Ga., August 3, 1864," , in part: "…we have not taken Atlanta yet but will some of these days…four Corps on our left went to the right which leaves the 4[th] on the left. There has been 3 heavy battles since we came in front of Atlanta…the 23rd Corps fought them yesterday…they [the rebels] came up with their guns on their shoulders they were so drunk they did not know what they were doing. Our men fought them in front and era. They would drive them back one side and then turn on the other [and] the rebs got in rear of our troops but they had to give up the enterprise as a bad job. [In] the three fights the Rebs lost over 30,000 men. Our loss was 3,200 in all…in our front they lost ten to one. I have been having very good times since…although [I] have to watch for some of those tea kettles that come over here…I know of 2 men being wounded and one killed. They were behind a little tree. The one that was killed was sitting down. It struck the tree, passed through [and] hit him in the back. They belonged to 65 O. V. I. The colonel's orderly was wounded last night by a ball from some of our own guns…I am anxious to hear who is drafted…I wish they were in the field now…". A chilling post script adds: "Dear Let since I wrote this our lines were advanced, a shell bursed at the works and wounded 3 men, one mortally of the 57 Ill…". VG
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