Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A great pair of early war-date Union soldier's letters written by 1st Sgt. Jacob S. Winans [bvt. major 3/13/65], Co. H, 38th Pennsylvania Vols. (9th Reserves), Camp Tennally, [Tennallytown, Maryland], Sept. 17-18, 1861. The first letter, double sided three-foot long, six inch wide letter, reads, in very, very small part: "…we have been out on picket duty…it was a long march (about 13 miles)…our regiment guarded the river for about 8 or 9 miles…I was acting as Lieut…I had a serge, two corpl. and 25 or 30 men out at a time…we were stationed between the river and [Baltimore & Ohio] canal and always stopped any boats that came along…I generally managed to stop abbot where my reserve was stationed. Then we took possession and the deck made a good place to sleep. At the lower post our men were fired on every day by some rebels who were concealed in the rocks on the opposite side…they have very poor arms for they did not hit a man…our men threw a few shells over the river yesterday. It made a few men scamper off in a hurry…there was a little skirmish near Chain Bridge a few days ago…day before yesterday about 400 Rebels attacked our pickets near Harpers Ferry but were repulsed with some loss. We have not got any new arms yet…we got new colors a few days ago. It is a handsome flag…we have several in our company that have shortened their lives several years by exposure…I took 28 men and marched six miles up the canal through a dizzying rain…Sam Veon [WIA Charles City Cross, Roads, Va. 6/30/62], W. Parish, Tom Dimond…are the best and most reliable men we have altho they are drunken, worthless fellows at home…you know how worthless John Murphy [POW Charles City Cross, Roads, Va. 6/30/62. Died Libby Prison] was. He has been drunk but twice since he left New Brighton, have never to tell him more than once to do anything…one of our men was courtmartialed…one of our men I found asleep on his post no less than three times, once in camp and twice on piquet when the enemy were…only about two miles from us and the country full of spies…he would surely be shot…we will have a grand battle sometimes soon over the river…I was the first of our company to get on the soil of Virginia…your son, J. S. Winans…[2pp. 8vo., Sept. 18]…we will get our new arms tomorrow. They are here now. They are improved rifle muskets are as good as…Sharps rifles…J. S. Winans…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Much more interesting content. VG to near fine.
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