Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Harlan P. Martin, Co. E, 123rd New York Vols., Scottsville, Wayne Co., N. C., Mar. 30, 1865 to his mother, in part: "…on the 16th inst. we came up with the rebels and had fighting all day. Our company was on the skirmish line and we had a hot time of it. Pete Bouche and McKenna was wounded…we whipped the rebs here and took 3 pieces of artillery during the night. They retreated and we went on. Sunday the 19th, near Bentonville we run on to them very unexpectedly. 2 brigades of the 14th Corps were in the advance and pushed on ahead without their supports…the rebs pounced upon them, drove them back and captured 3 pieces of artillery. Our Corps was in the rear. We were brought up as quick as possible [and] formed our line just in time for a rebel charge and from that time till dark they hurled thir troops in repeated charges…determined to break our line and route us regardless of the cost…every charge was repulsed and the rebels fell back that night…our brigade was in the 2nd line…the fighting was so heavy we could not relieve the 1st line so we managed to get them ammunition and let them fight it out. The rebs had a nice little plan arranged to whip this army. they were to pitch on the 14th Corps, whip that and by the time our Corps got up…to do the same thing to us and the same to the right wing which was several miles off. We got to Gouldsboro the 24th unseat found the 23rd Corps and portions of the 24th & 25th Corps ahead of us. We are now encamped 3 miles north of Gouldsboro…on the Weldon Railroad…things look now as if we might wind up the Confederacy in time, but there will have to be hard fighting first…the thing is not to be done up as quick as folks think...H. P. Martin, Co. E, 123rd N. Y. V., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 20th A. C., Sherman's Army…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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