Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
War-date Union soldier's letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Major Marquis L. Holt (signed M. L. Holt), Co. E, 3rd New Hampshire Vols., "Near Laurel Hill, Va., Nov. 18, 1864," in part: "…about mid nit of the 2nd we was routed and ordered to get ready to move bag & baggage. Our regt went on picket that night…and before we could do much, they must be relieved. This was soon done and…by 4 1/2 A. M. of the 3rd we were on the road through the mud to Deep Bottom at which place we arrived before 7 a. m…there was but one steamer here ready to take us aboard and we must wait until others came…we commenced to load our stores away, so close, that it was almost impossible for the men to all lay down on the deck…by 5 p. m. the boat…the james Powell was loaded and we started…going as far as City Point…we had orders to run up to Norfolk and unload onto the ocean steamer United States. This we did…I took my quarters on the upper deck…at daylight of the 5th we…moved down to the fortress [Monroe] and out so sea…and arrived in New York Harbor…we communicated with the shore and got orders to move down and go ashore at Fort Richmond on Staten Island…we crossed the harbor to Fort Hamilton where we unloaded onto…[the] Westfield…[were] we found (3 pieces) of 'Langon's' Battery M, 1st U. S. Artillery…took on 3 other regts (the 112th N. Y., 11th Maine, 13th Indiana)…there was scarcely room for every man to lay down by packing in as close as possible…we moved up to the [New York] City and laid off 41st street…no one was allowed to go ashore or to have any communication with anyone on shore…the first two days we laid here we were the shortest for rations…this we thought was rather rough being as we was in the center of the rich and populous North…I do not pretend to say who was to blame for this abuse, but when a general can have his wife with him, and a good hotel to stay in. [Then] I see no reason why his troops cannot have shelter…it is all very fine for a general to…take his troops to New York to keep peace during the elections but it is not quite so fine for his men if often he…forgets all about them [his men] and pays his whole attention to his wife who should be at home where she belongs…(15th) we left the harbor and proceeded to Fortress Monroe…we went on our way to Deep Bottom…and marched back to camp…Honest Old 'Abe' is reelected, therefore we kneed not feel uneasy…the God of battle has not left us to destruction…". VV to near fine.
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