Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Gustavus B. Williams (signed Gustavus), Co. K, 51st Mass. Vols., Evan's Mills, N. C., March 15,1863, in part: "…the enemy can hardly surprise us…if our guards are driven in…the flanks are off bridges between a force of Rebs and us. I am officer of the guard…and determined to fight as long as possible then retreat to Newbern. We need not fear a moderate force of infantry or cavalry but artillery will start us quickly…the attack meant no more than…to capture a regiment or two of outposts in retaliation for our recent raids on the enemy…amid so many alarms I begin to grow hardened to them and careless of them…the Capt. promised to write…and ascertain if a substitute would do in my place…a black man couldn't come onto this regiment…on any term, either by the agreement of officers or men…I am…very desirous to shorten my term, if possible, with honor but in the present state of our regiment scattered as it is. The difficulty in getting the 'red tape' cut would be too great…the war shows no signs of a successful termination…". VG
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