Firing at Yankees Near the Dunker Church, Antietam

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

Intriguing war-date 2p. oblong 8vo., ink inscribed, Confederate soldier’s letter written by Pvt. Allen Shadrach, Co. E, 46th N. C. Vols. “Camp near Winchester, Oct. 3, 62” concerning how many shots he fired, during the battle of Antietam, and of losing a comrade to wounds, in part: “…I am not able [?] duty at this time tho. I stay with the company…Jones has left us on the 28th…he went to Winchester…he had a misery in his back…D [?] Quartez died…yesterday morning. He was shot thru the face with a grape shot…a few lines to [the] patron [of] thy house…I have not forgotten you…I see no chance to come home yet. I have staid in the army marching about until I have got lousy. I want you all do the best you can and attend to my wife as you have…you shall lose nothing by it. I was in the battle but did not get hurt. I shot at the Yankees 5 times. I think that [I] killed one if no more…”. The 46th N. C. fought fiercely against the Union troops at the West Woods, the Dunker Church, and amazingly Pvt. Shadrach fired only five shots-killing one “Yankee” soldier. He died of disease in less than a year half on Feb. 4, 1864. Minor spotting, else very good.

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