Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. large folio, written by Sgt. John G. Abbott [MWIA Battery Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863], Co. D, 48th New York Vols. (Perry's Saints), "Camp Perry, Dawfuskie Island, March 6, [1862]," in small part: "…our camp has been almost wild with rejoicing on receiving the news of the great Union victory in the west…it is encouraging news to the soldier as well as the citizens…the life blood of secessiondom will have ebbed out forever…we are not in the city of Savannah yet but the trap is set…we are only waiting the spring tide to get our gunboats through…the Hale and Western World will get through tonight. Today they had a brisk engagement with Tatnell's Fleet and…drove them back to Savannah…almost to Ft. Jackson…the fort will be bombarded both in front and rear. We captured 3 prisoners from Pulaski the other night…they say their is about 6 months provisions but only 2 days ammunition while we have 10 days allowing each gun to fire once a minute…with those 13 inch mortars on Tibee…that flags of theirs which is now crimson will soon be changed for one as white as snow…[we] will hoist in triumph that disgraced but glorious Star Spangle Banner…we expect to go into Savannah without…firing a gun…the Rebels flee from our gunboats like chaff…we have finished another [battery] on Bird's Island, Georgia just opposite the other…to help command the Savannah [and] Wilmington river…the two batteries mount 15 guns, some 20 and 30 Pdrs. the rebels knew nothing about it until they was finished. The day after we finished the 2nd Tatnell's fleet came down to take possession of them…as soon as they came near enough both batteries opened fire on them…they turned tail…and retreated. We fired 35 times and hit them 27…we disabled their flag ship…they had to tow her away . They fired but 4 times…they have one 15 and…the rest 12 pars…I told you about our destroying the magnetic telegraph…since then we have found and destroyed their submarine telegraph also…I have but a small piece of the gutta percha wire…". Abbott's original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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