Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 8pp. 4to. & 8vo., written by Sgt. John G. Abbott [MWIA Battery Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863], Co. D, 48th New York Vols. (Perry's Saints), Fort Pulaski, Ga., June 21, 62, in small part: "…now…to the death of our noble Col. J. [James] H. Perry of Brooklyn. He died on the 18th at 3 o'clock P. M. of a fit. He had been…well until the moment of his death. He ate a very harty dinner and was signing passes…at the time. He was laying on his sofa writing in his cash book. The Post Master was in the room…getting the mail ready …he heard the Col. give a short groan. He looked up. He had dropped his book. Gave a few gasps and the life had left him. Capt. [Daniel C.] Knowles came in just as he was dying. He tried to bring him to…the doctor was not there at the time…he was a true Christina. A man of God…a noble soldier. A noble leader…the father of the 48th…his men was sure f being led on to sure victory…all feeling…that they was left as orphans and leaderless…his son Lieut. J. H. Perry takes it very hard…he will be sent north as soon as they can get a metallic coffin from York. Capt. Knowles went to Hilton Head…their was no coffins large enough so he had one made with a case and sent word home to his family…yesterday at 10…the battalion was fell in line to attend the funeral. The line was formed right in front of the Col's Qrts. and was then brought to a present arms…the corpse was carried in front of the battalion from right ot left…the battalion was brought to shoulder arms, then the reverse arms…we was countermarched by file left. The battalion was then in front. The band followed next then the corpse, born by 3 men, two officers in front 4 on each side the rest following the rear. Thus we marched to the grave. The line halted the colors…opposite the grave. Comp. D was the color Co. so we was right by the side of the grave. The battalion ws then brought to a present arms. The corps then moved to the grave in front of the line…the ceremonies was delivered by Sergt. Ervine who was acting chaplain in the absence of Dr. Strickland. The scene was the most affecting I ever witnessed. I never felt so affected in all my life…after the ceremony a regimental salute was fired over the grave after which the battalion moved away in solemn tread to the fort where we was dismissed…Lieut. Col. Wm. B. Barton [future Brevet Brig. gen. WIA Cold Harbor, Va., 6/01/64] is now in command. Gen. Terry & Col. Chas. M. Moore of the 47th N. Y. S. V. was at the funeral. Col. Barton is not Col. Perry by a long shot. He is not liked much by the men. He is too hard on them but I like him well…he always used me like a man…it would do to cross him or he will show his authority which he likes to do…yesterday at 3…the Rebel steamer Ida came down from Savannah with a flag of truce. when within 1/2 mile of the fort she was rounded to by a shot from the Tatnell gun. The mayflower with Lieut. [Albert F.] Miller [WIA Fort Wagner, 7/18/63 & Cold Harbor 6/01/64] of the 48th was dispatched to meet them. She brought down 5 prisoners from Savannah, a Capt & his wife & 3 men which was captured last fall in a schooner. I think her whole mission was to find out how many men we have in garrison and also how many guns we had on Jones & Bird's Island but they found to their great surprise that they were both evacuated…now they have found it out. She was here about 2 hours…there was a Rebel Col. on board of her. Tell Mrs. C. Bacon that I have heard from her brother through a contraband [who] lived on the next farm from her brother…he is now cooking for Com. D…he [the brother] was not in the Rebel service…he is still carrying on his business just above Savannah. The darkey thinks that he is a Union man but dare not own it. His business is of more importance to them than being in the army. I had inquired of several but none knew him…our troops have had quite a battle on James Island near Fort Sumpter…and got the worst of it…Gen. Benham was drunk and made an advance on them before he was ready. All the officers met in a cancus and determined not to move…he insisted on them to move and at length the 46th N. Y. S. V. made a start, the 3rd N. H. next, the 28th Mass next, the 6th Ct…the 47th N. Y. next…they attacked a rebel battery of 8 guns which was surrounded by 4 or 5 others. Our men had to cross some ditches had been dug one after the other…the Rebels kept up a dreadful fire shooting chains and old glass out of their cannons. This mowed them down our boys like rain…their forts was constructed that one would shoot inside the other…they was reinforced by 5,000 more troops…making about 30,000 to us only 8,000…we was ordered to withdraw from the fight…our loss was heavy several killed and 600 wounded mostly with glass which is very bad. The Rebel loss was about equal with ours. Gen. Benham was the cause of all…he is now at Hilton Head under arrest by Gen. Hunter…there was a vessel came ashore loaded with sutler stores went to pieces the same night…I also send you a small piece of the Rebel flag which was captured at Ft. Pulaski…". The original piece of Fort Pulaski flag is included which is made of corse blue muslin fabric measuring approximately one inch square. Abbott's original stamped transmittal cover is included. )
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.