Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Corp. H. Arthur White [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., 5/16/64], Co. H., 25th Mass. Vols., Newbern, N. C., March 22, 1862, in part: "I have just mailed you a paper in which there is an account of the battle of Newbern…I thought I would let you see the paper which we print down here…some of our boys found the press without the type all set for the paper of that day (the day the rebels left) and some of the papers [were] struck off…and continue to issue them. We are in nice quarters…the house Co. H occupies is near the bank of the Neuse it is an old brick building rather dingy looking outside but inside the rooms are large…the walls are hard finished…the commissioned officers occupy the large room on the right and the non commissioned officers the one on the left…our back yard runs down to the waters edge…while off Hatteras Inlet…we started bright and early on our expedition…it came our turn to go ashore…we formed ourselves…we marched until quite dark through mud and water up to our knees and camped in a wood in front of the enemy. We passed…one of the largest breastworks I ever saw which the rebels had deserted…they seemed to be frightened at us…next morning we marched to attack the battery…we were some exposed to their fire. We charged int the enemy's works as soon as we were allowed and formed on the inside and moved forward in time to flank part of the rebels whom we made prisoners and it fell to our lot to guard them while the rest advanced…we took up our quarters near a brick yard and put our prisoners in some old building nearby…after the battle…we were ordered to take them all to Newbern and put them aboard the boats…most of the white people have left but they are gradually coming back and occupying their houses. Negroes are as thick as one could wish. You see them every where. They are mightily pleased at our coming. The 25th Mass.; Regt has charge of the city…we have to go on guard every other day…I will send you a secesh envelope which I found in the rebel camp…your own, Arthur." The original transmittal cover is included. Some spotting, else VG
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