Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. H. Arthur White [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., 5/16/64], Co. H., 25th Mass. Vols., Newport News, Va., Feb. 20, 1864, in part: "…describing this little war-worn duty entrenching point of land at the mouth of the famous James river (the natives here call James Jemes)…the importance of this place is that it is healthy and convenient depot for troops and is used as such…at present there is no troops here save one Co. of cavalry belonging to the 1st D. C. regt and one battery of light artillery. Troops are coming and going all the time…some go to N. C. and others to various points of Va. Admiral Lee comdg the No. Atlantic Blockading Squadron has his Hd. Qrs in the Frigate Minnesota which lays opposite here and gunboats are coming and going constantly …the fast double end steamer "Eutaw" was here…the vessel which the Asst. Sec. of the Navy wished to run against any vessel foreign or American…the ironclad ram Atlanta which was captured from the rebels last June near Savannah lays opposite the window…it looks like the roof of a house on a raft. It is near two hundred feet long and has three port holes on each broad side and one at each end. She carried when captured four heavy guns…she has been over hauled and newly fitted out since…it is quite a curiosity to me to see here and as she is anchored near the wreck of the Cumberland it requires but a little stretch of imagination to think her the Merrimac or here ghost revisiting the scene of her famous exploit and of her defeat. The Roanoke…is still here…if they have got any ironclads up the James river [I wish] that they would come down and give us a call…we had quite a little fire her last night. A building used as a hotel and boarding house…with several storehouses and a smaller building and one end of the upper government wharf were destroyed. The principle loser is a man named Webster who owned…the hotel. Much property was saved and more would have…if proper means had been used to check the flames. Some of the property that was saved was carried off by the cavalry who were…going aboard steamers laying at the wharfs. They helped themselves to what they wanted and the boats left before the fire was over…I remain your Affec. bro. H. A. White." The original transmittal cover is included. Minor spotting, else VG
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