Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
A good pair of war-date Union Hospital Steward's battle letters, totaling 8pp. 8vo., written by William L. Jackson, 3rd Vermont, "Camp on the Pamunkey River, 2 miles from New Kent C. H. & 31 miles east from Richmond, Va., May, 13, 1862" reads, in part: "…we were astonished to learn that the rebels had fled in the night. Five minutes after I was standing on the rebels embankment. We found one of our boys still unburied. We buried him…I cannot see why the rebels did not resist us at Yorktown. The works were very strong…they had one gun mounted by the road side but they were soon driven from that. We encamped for the night 3 miles below Williamsburg…early in the morning firing commenced on the left where Hooker's Div was…we were wet to the skin. We could hear the fight going on, could hear the charging etc. At noon we fell in to reinforce Hooker…the 3rd was ordered to reinforce Hancock's Brigade on the right. We went off double quick…after going about two miles we were overtaken by one of Brook's aides and ordered back…could hear the yells as each party charged. It sounded as though our men were hard pressed and we were anxious to go and help them…we were overtaken by Capt. Kennedy who told us that his battery was in danger and told us to go and reinforce Hancock…arrived just after the fight was over (3 p. m.)…as we arrived at the redoubt they were bringing in the rebel wounded & prisoners. They were a sorry looking set no two of them dressed alike. A large proportion of them were dressed in butternut colored jeans. Many of them did not try to escape. The officer were not much better dressed…next day all our Drs were called on to take care of the wounded rebels. There was 100 of them in one large barn. Most of them were badly wounded. 15 amputations were preformed that afternoon. I assisted in taking off 4 legs and one arm. It was a hard sight to see the men suffer so. They were very grateful for the care they received…many of them were forced to enlist and said they would fight no more…many of them were smart but more of them were very ignorant. I staid there till two in the morning before I was relieved…". Jackson ends the letter here and does not sign it, but continues with a fresh letter two days later. The second letter is datelined: "Camp Near White House Landing, Pamunkey River, May 15, 1862", in part: "…although I wrote yesterday I thought best to write a few lines today…when we march the reville is beat at 3 a. m. and we start at 4…it is the finest farming country I ever saw…there are a plenty of negroes, slaves to here, all shades in one family. Many of them think they have staid here long enough and so they either join some Regt or start for the Fortress. As regards Gen. Smith from all I hear think Gen. S. was not drunk that day. The Boston Post said 'he is one of the most temperate officers in the army…I have not heard anything about his drinking since we left Camp Griffin…many of our regimental officers are frequently intoxicated…Epp. H. [Color Corporal E. Howard KIA Savage Station, Va., 6/29/62] sends word to his mother that he is well…". This letter is signed with his initialed, but the original transmittal cover is included giving his last name. Overall VG.
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