Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 12pp. 8vo., written by Corp. H. Arthur White [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., 5/16/64], Co. H., 25th Mass. Vols., Camp Oliver, New Bern, N. C., Mar. 15, 1863, concerning an attack upon the Union defenses of New Bern, March 13, 1863 by Confederate troops under the command of D. H. Hill and Pettigrew who sought to recapture the town in early 1863, reading in very small part: "…the order came for us to fall in immediately as the boys at Deep Gully…were attacked…a number of companies of cavalry had just gone…the old 25th were in line and heading off to the outposts on the Trent…I pit my coffee into my canteen…Belger's I. R. Battery [Battery F, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery] took the road just before us and we followed at their heels…not resting until we reached the boys that had been driven in…by the rebel artillery…we immediately took position…on both sides of the road, the battery in the center on the road. It was then dark and the rebs had ceased firing…they were going into camp at the cross roads…we were ordered to lie down where we stood…the four picket Cos. we went back to their camp…we were joined by the 46th Mass. who took position a few paces to our rear…it was one of the coldest nights I have…lay out in…at early dawn we were up and sent out skirmishers…and now a scattering fire told us that they had found the enemy…Genl. Plamer who had command…found that the rebels were moving their artillery to our right flank…we fell back to the wood[s]…and posted our artillery…they had six or eight pieces…our pickets held their position for three hours…the Rebels not daring to advance…the rebel infantry charged across the gully and took a large field piece which they had been shelling…which we had mounted on the knoll our side of the gully. It consisted of an old stump on a pair of cart wheels and looked quite formidable…it seems they did not feel like bringing their guns across the next run and were trying to get around it…orders were received for all…but the 25th to return to Newbern…all morning we had heard heavy cannonading in our rear…the rebels were agoing to try and take back the place…it was deemed prudent to take up a position nearer Newbern…we moved back blockading the road as we went by felling trees across it…took position at another gully at the Jackson place…about three o'clock Capt. Harrington was ordered to take Co. H and find out what the scamps were doing……we must have searched every thicket that would conceal our enemy…at Deep Gully…we found rebel cavalry who fled upon our approach…we were soon relieved by the arrival of the 43 & 46 Mass. Vols…after dragging ourselves into camp we…were very kindly informed that we were very likely to be called upon to cross the river and attack the rebels…we were not turned out…the rebels it appears have done with their fooling for the present…even today which is Sunday the air has been full of the sounds of war an we have been ready to move at a moments notice…your affectionate son, Arthur." The original transmittal cover is included. A bit light with some spotting, else VG
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