Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A great war-date Union artilleryman's letter, 4pp. 4to, written by Pvt. Thomas Corwin Potter, [MWIA Chickamauga, 9/20/63 both his arms were blown off by pre-ignition of his cannon, buried Chattanooga National Cemetery], Columbia, Tenn., July 12, 1862, to his sister in Michigan, in small part: "Perhaps it will interest you…how we…blue coats enjoyed the Fourth of July…it was arranged that two of our pieces should repair to the city early on the following morning soon enough to fire a sunrise salute…No. 2 & 3 pieces were detailed for the purpose. Our piece and No. 4 was to be left in camp…the two pieces were on the road to town at an early hour and just as the sun lit up the tree tops on the hill the familiar boom of our guns broke the silence rousing the natives from their slumbers. After firing a salute of 34 guns the boys returned…for breakfast…we received orders to have everything in readiness to leave camp for town…the horses were harnessed, hitched, drivers mounted and the canoniers all seated on the ammunition chests…arrived at the appointed time. The provost guards (Co. C 1st Wisconsin, Co. K, 78th Penn. under command of Captain [Thomas H.] Green [WIA Chaplin Hills, Ky., 10/8/62 & Chickamauga, 9/19/63] of the 1st Wisc.)…were drawn up in line with arms at a present. Passing then we met the general (Negley) and staff. They had come to escort us to the square where we proceeded to the tune of: Hail to the Chief…after passing the court house we came to an action front. Our piece unlimbered and run by hand to the rear. The caissons made a left about to make room for the limbers and they passed to the rear…the pieces were then run to the front in position all being formed pointing down main street. The gun detachments were soon equipped for action much to the astonishment of the natives who thronged the streets and corners. After loading (Using 1 1/2 pound blanks) our piece fired quickly followed by No. 2, 3 and 4 and by the time that the others were discharged we were ready again…we had fired 76 rounds, closing by four volleys from all four pieces…the firing lasted precisely five minutes…the order to cease firing put a stop to our fun. The pavement was everywhere covered with window glass. Not a whole pane of glass was to be seen. Some of the bystanders hinted in hearing of the officers. That we were breaking out…to much glass. General Negley very cooly told them that they might be thankful that it was not their houses tumbling down…after we ceased firing Captain Green rode up in front of the guard (they were drawn up in the rear of us.) Took off his hat…'come boys three cheers for the artillery'…three such rousing cheers as made everything ring again…we soon responded…with a 'three times three and a tiger'. This settled Captain Green turned to us saying now boys fall in and march to the commissary and get a good big drink of liquor…Lieutenant Bennett took us in charge and marched us around…the guards were drawn up in line on the square having stacked arms. The ranks had been opened just wide enough for us to march through. The front ranks came to an about face…and as we marched through they uncovered…the cap in the right hand just clear of the heads…and as fast as we could drinks passed out…we limbered up the pieces …we took our seats on the boxes and escorted by the guard took up our line of march for camp. The guard halted on the outskirts of town…our new camp…is situated on the site of an old Confederate camp…there is a line of earthworks thrown up commencing on the east and skirting the eminence on which our camp stands. They were thrown up by a rebel Tennessee regiment at the time our forces were in pursuit of the flying rascals. They boasted…that not a live Yankee should cross the river…[near] Columbia and to carry out this a regiment of cavalry supported by one piece of artillery was stationed at the bridge…well on came the Yankees (the Fourth Ohio Cavalry) right up to the bridge. The rebels fired one volley when they suddenly remembered that they had urgent business somewhere else…fired the combustibles that had been piled up on this end of the bridge and took double quick for camp…the gallant 4th dashed through the smoke…never stopping to save the bridge, they went up pell mell into town…[and] seen a dense cloud of dust…of the valiant chivalry [retreating]. Our boys took quiet possession of the town, raised the stars and strips on the court house. In the meantime General [William (Bull)] Nelson came up with his forces and forded the river [and] relieved our cavalry…they started out to reconnoiter towards this camp but…the valiant Tenn. boys had joined in the retreat…direct to T. C. Potter, Columbia, Tenn. care of Lieutenant Bennett 2nd Battery, 1st regiment Ohio light art., Negley's Brigade…enclosed you will find a mountain dew drop. A splendid flower when first plucked…". The original dried Mountain dew flower, that Potter no doubt picked up at their old Confederate campground, is included. Overall VG. (letter and flower relic).
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