Capturing Confederates During The Opening Of The Gettysburg Campaign

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

A great war-date pencil inscribed Union soldier’s 2pp. 8vo., letter, on patriotic stationery, written by 1st Sgt. George R. Coleman, Co. H, 61st Penn. Rappahannock River, Va., June 8, 1863 concerning crossing the Rappahannock River, and capturing part of a Confederate regiment during the opening of the Gettysburg campaign, in part: “…our Div. (Howe’s) crossed the river…on Friday evening taking the Rebel rifle [pits] and 56 of the 2nd Florida Regt. prisoners & driving them to the hills…the next morning they regained a little of the Plain to put out their skirmishers…we were relieved by another division for the whole Corps are here…I do not know what the object of this move is…our boys threw up rifle pits…to switch the line of battle…they do not seem to care about moving out any farther. I saw George…he is with…his Battery was engaged on Friday…”. Hooker made a reconnaissance in force across the Rappahannock River at Franklin’s Crossing near Fredericksburg on June 5, 1863. While this action occurred, Hooker failed to notice Lee withdraw his army towards Pennsylvania. A bite light, else very good.

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