Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Major Marquis L. Holt (signed M. L. Holt with rank), Co. E, 3rd New Hampshire Vols., "In the trenches before Petersburg, Va., Aug. 25, 1864," in part: "…of the battle of the 16th…I was in the thickest of the engagement…and I came out unharmed. All of the commissioned officers in our company [are] gone. Our 2nd Lieut. was killed and our 1st Lieut. & Capt. wounded. We lost heavily in officers. Our Lieut. Col. (Plimpton) being killed and others being killed & wounded. It seems almost to bad to put our regt into the fight as a part of the men's time was out in 6 days, but that did not seem to make any difference. There was no men in our company killed and only 6 won deed but they were mostly wounded bad so as to disable them…only two of our old men were wounded and they not very badly…the men…could not have done better. Our marches on that expedition were very hard, done mostly in the night and some in the day time though it was impossible for men to march for…it was so hot. We lost…more men by sunstroke than by the bullet…we recrossed the james last Saturday night…yesterday afternoon we had orders to march with everything and after crossing the Appomattox at Point of Rocks we halled up on the Petersburg & Norfolk railroad in the advance trenches of the army…this place makes me think of [Fort] Wagner as musket firing is going all the time and artillery does her part. We have very good trenches…and as a general thing can keep out of the way of the shots of the enemy…our march last night was the hardest and longest for the time we marched…my legs did ache and I was what you might call tired. We discharged the old men day before yesterday…our Lieut. (Charles S. Hagen) was one of the officers that went home with them…I do not complain because I am not one of their number…by the help of God I will see this war ended and not leave my country's service until that shall be accomplished…it has been the will of God that I should rise to a higher position as an officer…I have been asked to give up my rifle and take the sword and though I do not wear straps I hold the position next to it..tell Ned that Lieut. Donley is in command of the company while Hagan is gone and Capt. Dave is in command of the regt. The names of those that was wounded the 16th are Corp. E. L. Johnett, Private Stephen Hadley, Emery LaClair, Rody Robinson, Warren J. Watson & Benjamin Heath. This is the third time Rody Robinson has been wounded and two out of the three time he has been side of me when he was wounded. This time he will lose his right arm I am afraid…". VG to near fine
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.