Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
Out of over 2.8 million men who served the Union cause 391 committed suicide. A low number indeed considering the extremely harsh and trying conditions they were excepted to perform under during four long years of war. Death and destruction abound around them and now today we know of the effects of post traumatic stress. Perhaps Surgeon McCoy was plagued with that disease? He sad demise is chronicled below in Crist's, as usual, informative letter. War-date Union officer's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Lt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. L, 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], New Orleans, La., Jan. 17, 1865, in part: "…our street being paved they soon get dusty and we hardly know what mud is. Our streets are so graded that the crossing are generally higher than the street…the water has a fall of nine feet in one mile…from the river to the swamp. Some places the swamp is 2 & 3 miles from the river. The river is very crooked here. The river runs east past most of the city…it seems strange to see water running from the river as it does here. There is a large embankment thrown up to keep the swamp water back and there are several powerful engines to throw the water that runs back from the city over the embankment. This is certainly a great country. There is a street between our quarters and the river…which is…about 6 feet high, 20 ft base so we are 6 or 8 fete below high water. The river rises and falls 12 feet here…a large force is gathering some 15 miles from here…they have a large force…guarding Mobile and the Mobile & Oho R. R…we do not fancy the idea of advancing on Texas again…Squire Hogan…is rather bitter against those copperheads…madam rumor says England and France is to interfere in March. Let them come…we will then meet them as enemies and fight them…everywhere we find them sympathizing with the rebels. English gunboats, English cannon. English ammunition. English clothing. There were as many voters in 64 as in 59. We feel the north can take care of the north…there is hardly a man but would be willing to help fight England especially the Irish…they are trying officers for their offenses here and putting them through. Capt. Henderick's of Co. G went home…with the body of our asst. surgeon who shot himself. He was deranged. He was as nice a man as we often meet and had as many friends. He imagined he was to be shot before the regt and no reasoning would convince him to the contrary. Several of his most intimate friends were at his room that day…he got up to the front door which opened out on a porch (2nd story) and as he stepped to the porch drew a revolver & placed it to the side of his face…between the right eye & ear and fell…on his face & died almost immediately…his name was George K. McCoy. It seemed awful if a man gets shot in battle…but for a man to take his own life for nothing is awful to think of…Capt. H. wanted to resign which will make me Capt. wont that be awful…I received his Temperance paper…liquor is the greatest curse of our army…R. H. Crist, Lt. & A. R. Q. M., 1st Ind. Hy. Artillery.". The original transmittal cover is included. VG.
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