32nd North Carolina Letter with Content

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

Autograph Letter Signed, “J.I. Foster” Captain, Company K, 32nd North Carolina Infantry, who was wounded at Gettysburg and killed at the 3rd Winchester, he was cited for gallantry and coolness under fire at Mine Run, Virginia, in November, 1863 by General Junius Dnaiel. This letter is 6”x15”, Culpepper County, Virginia, February 4, 1864, and reads in part: “...I take this occasion to express my thanks...for the very kind and interesting letter you wrote me when I was wounded...at the time your letter came to me, we were on our way from Pa. I had just joined the regiment when the letter was received and shortly afterwards went into camp for the summer near Orange C.H. where we underwent a regular organization...During this period all was expecting a regular engagment. Gen. Lee was well prepared to fight a battle, but the cowardly enemy could not risk their fate coming over the river, thus we were kept until our officers thought it would be a good time to move the Yankee Army out of Culpeper County by a flank movement, which was very successfully done. We had no fighting to do until we got to Bristow Station where Gen. A.P. Hill’s troops engaged the enemy in this little fight. The Yankees got rather the best of it. After staying in that part of the country for several days, the Army was brought back to the Rappahnnock and reamined four or five weeks, during this we were principally engaged in tearing up the railroad from the Rapphannock to Bristow. When our mission was finished in the way of destroying the railroad communications, we fell back to the Rapidan, occupying the same lines we we left and there remained until sometime in November when it was made known that the Yankee Army had crossed 7 or 8 miles below where we were picketing...our Army was put in motion to see something of the intention of Mr. Meade. We met them at Mine Run, confronted each other for several day, but to our surprise the Yankees took their backtrack without a fight. Our troops at that time were in good condition and good siposition. We followed them to the river and picked up a few stragglers who said they had started on another trip to Richmond but found ita difficult road...If I get in another battle and come out alive I will be sure to write to you and if I get killed you will hardly hear anything about it...” VG. With supporting documentation on Foster, his unit and more.

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