Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A great war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written, on patriotic stationery, by Pvt. Charles E. Putnam [KIA Williamsburg, Va., 5/05/62], Co. H, 2nd New Hampshire Vols., "Camp Sullivan, [Washington], July 26, 1861", in part: "…since the fight at Bull Run we have had as much as we could do to take care of our sick and wounded…that was a sad day…and that I never shall forget as for myself I have recovered from the fatigues of the march and am now in good condition for another fight…we started on the march Sunday morning at 2 o'clock, marched 18 miles had nothing to eat but hard bread and a little salt pork…the last two miles we were put on the quick time so that when we got onto the field the men were pretty well tired out. We were marched to where the balls and bombs were coming thick and fast but the men stood their ground nobly. Col. [Gilman] Marston [future Brig. Gen. 11/29/62] was wounded in the first of the fight which was a sad thing for us. He conducted himself nobly and was cool and calm…we were in the field 7 hours and were among the last to leave…we looked in vain for reinforcements and our ammunition was nearly gone…the men had thought of no such thing as retreat up to the time the order was given, but after they commenced it was an awful scene and one I hope I shall never witness again. I was in the field during the whole battle and I think I was the last man in the regiment expect the chaplain that came off when the retreat was ordered. I stopped to help fetch off a man that was sunstruck. We carried him into a hollow where we found some water and bathed his head. We then started with him and came on nearly a mile, the shot[s] falling around us…we reached the hospital where I found Jack Strain and a number of others that I knew, badly wounded, but I knew I could do them no good…so I started on. I found that I was behind most everybody. When I got out of the woods. I saw our cavalry stationed on a hill to cover our retreat…I got within about twenty rods of them when a body of the enemy's Black Horse Cavalry came out of the woods and gave us a volley with their rifles. The balls whistled pretty close but I kept on and got with the main body and came on to Washington where I arrived Monday…almost run out, but so much better than a good many others…[I am] ready for them again. He had four killed in our company, nine wounded and five missing…from Claremont John Rice [John L. Rice, WIA & POW, survived later became Lt. Col. 75th USCT], Henry Morse killed, Jack Straw [listed also as POW] has lost a leg, John Straw [WIA Oak Grove, N. H., 6/25/62] is wounded in the leg. A few others are wounded slightly. Jack Barry [paroled New Orleans, 6/02/62], Albert Hall [paroled New Orleans, 5/24/62], Heman Allen [paroled New Orleans, 10/24/62], Galen A. Grout [paroled New Orleans, 5/28/62 & WIA Opequan, Va., 8/20/64], are missing. We haver a number that are quite sick…". Near fine.
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