Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
A good war-date Union officer's battle letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Captain Augustus Alonzo Hoit, Co. G, 8th Maine Vols. (later captain 34th USCT), Hilton Head, S. C., Jan. 5, 1862, concerning the Jan. 1, 1862 battle on the Coosaw River near Port Royal Ferry, South Carolina in part: "…there was a little fighting going on at Bluffton…it appears that an attack was made upon our troops by a greatly superior force of rebel troops…our troops stood their ground till the arrival of the N. York 47th and 48th regiments of our brigade when an advance was made which scattered the rebels…the gunboats greatly assisted our men by throwing shells over their heads…our men came out of the woods into the edge of a cotton field where the rebels had retreated. The rebels had thrown themselves between the rows of cotton and as the trenches…were pretty deep the rebels were nearly concealed. They expected to have drawn our men out into the open field and…placed a powerful battery…to the right…in the edge of the woods…but the Yankees were wide awake…and sent an officer…to the shore and requested the…gunboats to send a few ten inch shells…the Capt. commenced operations immediately…the very first shell thrown passed just over the heads of our men and exploded among the rebels killing twelve…they were somewhat surprised…but kept as quiet as possible…after waiting a few moments they received a whole shower of…shells…and took to their heels leaving some of their arms and accoutrements…our brigade remained there till next day and then returned to camp having lost but three men. The loss on the rebel side is not ascertained…they lost several batteries…besides being driven back further than they were before…yours in love, Alonzo…". VG
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