Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
A great war-date Confederate soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 15" long folio, written by Pvt. Isaiah Grandison Baker, Co. A, 6th Virginia (POW Ellitt's Station, Va., May 22, 1864), "Orange C. H., [Va.], Aug. 10, 1863", in part: "…we had on the 1st inst. we had quite a brilliant little affair…near Culp. C. H…on Saturday morning…we heard some artillery firing in the direction of Brandy Station which during the middle of the day became more distinct…our cavalry was being driven…at 3 p. m. we were ordered to fall in as quick as possible. In the short space of two minutes Posey's Miss. Brigade and ours was on the move at quick time through open fields…we were quickly thrown in line of battle…and advance about 200 yards to the edge of the woods were we halted. It was soon known that the enemy was in the woods forcing back our small body of cavalry with cavalry, Infty. and artillery and that we had to stop them. The left wing of our Regt…was rapidly thrown forward about 50 yards as skirmishers…our advance was made in perfect order…we soon came upon the advance of the enemy who at once fell back…we kept steadily on, the two brigades keeping in one line…when we passed through the woods. We came into a clear and open country unobstructed for miles…so we could have a perfect view of everything…a fresh body of our cavalry came up just after we got out of the woods…and the rest were formed in squadrons on our left flank to protect it. Two pieces of Stuart's horse artillery was also sent in front…many were struck down by the heat and many more unable to keep up…they would limber up and go to the line of cav. shp. shooters. This formation was kept up…all the time advancing at common time from 4 p. m. until dark…we had driven the enemy back about 7 miles…we passed over about 200 dead and wounded Yankees. The loss in our two Brigades was one killed and 4 wounded. Capt. E. [dwin] W. Branch of the Richmond Grays [Company G, 12th Virginia]…was the one killed…just before sundown we came on the main body of the enemy…we expected them to make a stand there so we stopped…for the main line to come up, which they did in such perfect order…with such a terrific…yell that the cowardly Yanks broke and fell back…on Sunday we kept very quite all day…on Monday morning we took up line of march for this place…we will have a big killing sometime soon…many men are now returning to the army who have been away from…duty without authority for a long time some as much as two years. This owing to the general pardon…granted by President Davis to all delinquent who would return to their respective commands within 20 days of the time of the publication of the order, the only exception made is of those who are on trial or under sentence for desertion the 2nd time…". Signed "Grandison". A bit light, else VG
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