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 letters, totaling 7pp. 8vo. & 4to, written by William L. Jackson, 3rd Vermont, "Camp 3 miles from Chicahomina Creek, 11 miles from Richmond, Va., May 21st, 1862", in part: "…where we left the rail road it was only 18 miles to Richmond. The road is nearly new and is well built. The telegraph is the best I have ever seen. The poles were large cedar poles and were all pealed. The insulators are the bone rubber…last night we were ordered to be ready to march at 4…marched about 5 miles…May 22…last night a general order from Gen. McClellan was read forbidding soldiers writing anything in relation to the movements of the army…yesterday we could hear firing to our left in the direction of Bottom's Bridge. We are now north east of Richmond…last night teams were sent back to White House Landing for rations…the White House is the old Curtis [Custis] place where Washington found his wife. It is the best farm I ever saw…Gov. Holbrook is out here and is trying to get this brigade discharged and…Capt. Reed, one of Brook's aides, offered to bet 50 dollars that the brigade would be discharged within three weeks…many of the men…do not want to go any further south…we are not more than three miles from the rebel pickets…we all hope to be in Richmond within a few days…". Jackson ends the letter here and does not sign it, but continues with a fresh letter five days later. The second letter is datelined: ""Camp 3 miles from Chicahomina, 7 miles N. E. from Richmond, Va., May 27, 1862 2 p. m.", in part: "…one week ago last Monday we left White House Landing…the first day we marched 3 miles on the rail road. The road is nearly new and is very well built. The rebels burned all the bridges on the road, but did not tear up the track. The bridges are fast being rebuilt and the road will soon be as good as new. The Govt. has engines and cars on the road now. The telegraph…has been torn down in but few places. The finest farms I ever saw are in this vicinity…most of the houses are occupied but…we see but few men. The women either are widows or the men are absent on business. There are lots of negroes. They are glad to see us frequently…the fences will be lined with them clapping their hands and saying 'God bless you all" etc…Saturday a. m. the rebels crossed the creek but were repulsed and driven back by the 4th Mich. The rebels had a number killed and wounded and we took 15 wounded and from 15 to 20 unwounded prisoners. I helped take care of the wounded rebels. Most of them were badly wounded. They were from the 5th La. Regt [and] were enlisted in New Orleans and were from all nations. One of them was from N. Y. and knew one of our Band boys. He said…that most of the rebels did not think it of much use to hold out longer. Many of them said that if they beat us here the war will soon be ended…as a last resort they would break up into small guerrilla bands…the 4th Mich lost 1 killed and 4 wounded…yesterday all the extra duty men were sent to their regts…60 rounds were given each man…an address from McC. was read telling the men to keep cool…to observe their drill, to fire low and in all cases…rely on the bayonet…today 25 men from each company are guarding work men who are building a bridge across the creek. Tomorrow probably a battle…". Signed "Your affectionate son, Wm. L. Jackson." Both VG.
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