Union Hospital Steward on the Mine Run Campaign

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

War-date 4pp. 4to., ink inscribed Union soldier’s letter written by Pvt. Aiken Currier, Co. B, 83rd N. Y. Vol. “Division Hospital near Thoroughfare Gap, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1863”concerning the movements of the Union army during the Mine Run campaign, and of seeing Gen. Meade and staff, in part: “…the cause of our retreat…was to keep Lee from flanking us…the ball is yet not over…our…stopping place was at Kelly’s ford…at daybreak…came through Manassas…at 4 p. m. heard cannonading…at the right…went back about a mile…[on] the 16th rebs trying to flank us…got on board ambulances…near Centreville…we [are] being governed here by Meade Lee & circumstances…went…passed Haymarket…nothing being left [but] a few chimneys-the ruins of a church 2 or 3 small huts. On we went…Lee was after us…the rebs was…cannonading close in the rear of us…our cavalry & flying artillery keeping them in their proper place…ever since we left Centreville we have tried to bring on an engagement…I saw Meade & his staff… he was about 10 rods from me…he rode a powerful black horse. Monday night…the rebs made a charge on our pickets. Took a few prisoners wounded a few. I saw the surgeon dressing their wounds. One man lost 2 fingers. The rest were shot indifferent places…I have seen a number of wounds since I have been here. Monday I passed our regiment…saw a number of our boys…Silas was marching among them…I could not speak to them…those deserters. I did not see them shot…our Lieut. Col…is [Joseph A.] Moesch [KIA Wilderness May 6, 64]…I…never had any difficulty with officers…officers are not very strict…tell Charlie if he has any chance of ever coming as a substitute to avoid it…a substitute is not thought so much here as a dog…”. Signed on as “Aiken” research proves that the author of this letter is indeed Pvt. Currier who was wounded during the battle of Spotsylvania May 10, 1864 after being transferred into the 94th N. Y. Vol. Some spotting, else very good.

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).