Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
A great war-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. (diagram of regimental drill disposition on verso of fifth page) 4to., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 21st Indiana Vols., [later captain 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], "Camp Murray, Baltimore, MD, Oct. 1,1861," in part: "…as to that case of small pox. Forbes stood guard while on a detail at Washington at a hospital where there was a case of small pox…when he got sick. they took it for granted [that] they had better get him out of camp…Forbes was sent across the Palatssco River to the Marine Hospital. There are no new cases about the camp…the two flank companies received Enfield rifles at Indianapolis also 57 sharp shooters. The other 8 Cos. have the old U. S. musket changed from a flint lock to a percussion. They are of no account. Many of the tubes are broke off and many blown out. There is no dependence to be put into their shooting. They would do…well at 75 or 100 ids…the Colonel has gone to Washington…to make arrangements for new guns…the Colonel returned…says our 8 Cos. are to have the Belgium Rifles with saber bayonet…our Enfield Rifles are about the length of a musket. The bore is about 5/8 of an inch. he ball is an inch long. [He draws a sketch of a Minnie Ball here] The hind end of the ball is hollow and spreads to the creases in the barrel when fired. Rifled cannon vials are the shape and work on the same principle. They shot a ball from one from Gov[ernor's ] Island 2 1/2 miles and hit a 8 inch board. The gun capes we use are later than those you use…we (skirmishers) when marching…march as you used to by columns…as skirmishers…one man near the centre stands fast and they start each way from him generally double quick (165) step to the minute and as they get 5 paces apart they halt till they get strung out…if they are among trees…they are not restricted to any distance…in advancing or retreating from the enemy they take the position sometimes on No. 6…the rear rank reserves their fire. There must always be one rank loaded…then they fall back and load. When loaded the rear rank fires and run…each rank are about 1 pace apart for the purpose of letting the rear rank & bullets pass between. In this way they load & fire as fast as they can…if advancing they fall with their face towards the enemy. As soon as down the breech of the gun is at their feet. They roll over on their back, place the butt of the gun between their toes…barrel up. The cartridge…box is more in front so as to become a table when on their backs. When loaded and ramrod [is] returned they roll on their left side and…prime…continue to roll till they get on their face, resting on the left elbow…then drop to both elbows and fire. If retreating they lay the gun across their toes and shoot…a man stands 7 or 8 chances to get hit when standing up to one he does lying down. There are quite a number of maneuvers in drill…they start on the double quick and rally around their officers…then the two in front rank kneel and charge bayonet. The inner ranks…keep shooting if cavalry is coming…there is nothing like the solid mass of moving columns. There certainly is something grand in a moving army…I will give you a plan of the camp. We have a very nice camp…R. H. Crist…the brass band is playing…while Co. A has a fiddle going… and 1 set is dancing…further down…some are singing good old fashioned methodist hymns while in other tents some are gambling…many of the boys have not a cent while some…sharper have several hundred…the colonel put a stop to gambling…after the [his] horse was stabbed etc…". The original transmittal cover is included. Near fine.
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