Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
A good war-date Union officer's Weldon Raid letter, 8pp. 4to., written by 1st Lt. Maurice Leyden, [POW Darbytown Road, Va., 10/07/64, confined Libby Prison & Salisbury, N. C.], Co. B, 3rd New York Cavalry, "in the field near Jones Landing, Va., July 3, 1864", in part: "…now a few words as to the raid, fight, rout etc. Two weeks ago last night…Gen. Kautz was crossing the Appomattox at the Point of Rocks and I was one of the number. We joined Gen. Wilson with his division from Sheridan''s command and passed out of Gen. Grant's lines near Petersburgh, into Lee's and the heart of the rebeldom…we commenced our destruction on railroad and public property generally…we burned many miles of all the rail-roads to Richmond and Petersburgh…all the stations and several trains of cars with their locomotives. We destroyed some sixty miles of the Richmond and Danville road over which the rebs receive all their supplies…we lost perhaps over one hundred men killed and wounded…the expedition proved an entire success…at the eleventh hour…when on our return and within eight or ten miles of our lines. We were surrounded and attacked by an overwhelming force of infantry, cavalry and artillery…our only salvation was to 'dig out' and we dug…Gen. Wilson was cut off from Gen. Kautz so that he could not render any assistance. The two commands were entirely separated…talk about 'Bull Run'…ours was a 'B-y' Run…the fight commenced early in the morning and appeared to be going in our favor until about three in the afternoon…we could hold out no longer. We lost heavy and many of our best officers. Gen. Kautz and staff were the first to make a break for the woods, which was a signal for all to follow suit…I succeeded in keeping my company and one other…which I brought in to our lines at ten o'clock on the night of June 30th…from the time we started until we stopped it was one continual charge. We first broke through their ranks and after that we found them all along the roads and on every cross road. If we drove them in our front they only took to the woods and pounced upon our rear, killing and taking prisoners all who were dismounted…Bailey was…a brave young officer and was shot from his horse while executing an order I had just given him. I also lost ten men out of thirty seven…I lost one of my horses and two pack-mules with all my blankets, mess kit and eatables…I was riding the horse you have a picture of…he was shot twice yet he carried me through bravely…I caught the last reb picquet before entering our lines…many of our horses dropped down in the road from heat and exhaustion…have a pleasant Fourth of July. Gen. Grant may give us something to do. He is noted for celebrating the Fourth…remember Vicksburgh…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Near fine.
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