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. 4to., 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, Cockspur Island, Ga., Sept. 1, 62, in small part: "…I am not at all posted in home affairs…I cannot account for this unless they happened to get on board the Arago which left New York…she got ashore on Hatteras shoals and I have not heard of her…Gen. Hunter has sent a gun boat after the mail…I am anxious to know who of those lazy skulks about [May's] Landing have ben drafted for I don't suppose any of them volunteered…we have had a heavy fatigue…mounting 10 in. Columbiands and James Rifled Guns on the parapets…we have a gunboat…with 2 gun on board and we keep here here for scouting. On Saturday the Col. Adjutant and Company D went on board and started on a scout went through the Hallaboge Sound…to where the rebels captured a party of the 3rd N. H…we saw and drove in their cavalry pickets throwing a few shells at them. We then landed and scouted the Island for about 3 miles, saw nothing more of the Rebels…saw nothing but a Rebel tug off towards Bluffton in another river…got some lumber at Stoddarts Plantation…we then dissevered a Rebel steamer laying in Bird's Isld…next morning at 3 o'clock one of the sentries discovered a light up the river but it soon disappeared …a heavy fog came in and we was unable to see…up the river. They thought that they would improve this chance to run past the fort and blockade…but they soon got her ashore on the flats opposite Wright's River where she remained until daylight…[at] light we discovered her ashore. The Starlight, our tug was laying at the South Wharf was soon on her way towards the steamer. Small boats was also sent with the guard…but as soon as they discovered us preparing to board her they set her on fire and then took to their boats and pulled as fast as possible the river. We gave chase but could not overtake them…the Starlight ran up near the steamer but the fire had got such…that they dare not board. The blaze was curling over the deck…she proved to be the steamer Emma of Savannah with a full cargo of cotton…our gun boats in…Warsaw Sound has captured the Nashville…I cant vouch for its trust, [but] at any rate she cant get out for our boats…lay at the head of the sound and she will have to run within 100 ids of them…the Fingal is not near finished yet…there are a good deal of sickness in Savannah according to deserters…the[y] told us to keep a good look out for the Emma as she intended to run out the first dark night…Brig. Gen. [Horatio] Wright of the 2nd Brigade of our Division has been promoted to major general of volunteers…he is a noble officer and a good engineer…but Gen. Viele would make a much better Major Gen. than Wright would…". Abbott's original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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