Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldiers battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Ephraim Bender (WIA Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62, wounded in left foot), Co. K, 100th Penn. (Roundheads) Vols., Beaufort, S. C., Jan. 2, 1861[2], concerning the battle on the Coosaw River at Port Royal Ferry, S. C., on Dec. 31, 1861-January 1, 1862, in part: "…we went out to the [Port Royal] ferry on the last day of the old year. We had quite a brush an the new year day. Our gunboats run up to the ferry and we gave them a hist. They opened up on them at half past nine…at fore we went over. We was split up. Part of our regiment went up the [Coosaw ] river and part down [and] that is we. Crost at three different places thare was six regiments went over. The one that went over…had a little fun. They went over below us and came up on the other side to where we was. On coming up they met a regiment which they had quite a brush [with.] They came onto our fellows…carge bayonet. Though[t] they would scare our fellows. But our fellows came to…carge them. The[y] turned and a way they went, run them, fired several shots. They run up to a battery [that] they had in the woods [and] still they didn't git them in the trap. The round heads didn't get a show on…account of them ben [being] sent different routs…it couldn't be helped. We had only three companies when we went over [the river] Company G, Co. K, Co. M. Company M was sent out on a scrimmage party rite handy to. Whare we landed thare was a house…and a little grove…company M sent a squad over to see what was thare, thare was a company of one hundred [rebels] jumped out and fired on our fellows. They fell back on the rest of the company. Not a man was hit and they had a very good site at them. They left on the double quick. They [rebels] have got a big force thare. We staid all night then came back. In the morning they came pretty close agin. The gunboats commenced throwing shells…drove them back again. We lay in the field and the boats threw the shells over us. It wasn't very pleasant…to heard them whistle over our heads. We left the mainland and came over to the island about noon. We burnt all the buildings there [that] was there…the reason we done this was they made a hiding place [in] them. They cant hide thare anymore. They had only one gun thare. It was spiked. We got the spike out…and got it over to our side …we are quartered out at the ferry now…". Bender's poor grammar and some spelling has been corrected aid flow of transcription. Also included is the original stamped patriotic cover. Overall VG
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