Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
War-date Union soldier's Corinth siege letter, 3 1/2pp. 4to., written by Musician Conrad William Betts, 29th Illinois Vols., "before Corinth, Miss., May 28, 1862 to his further wife, Ellen M. Sherman, in part: "…I have the privilege of abiding in this heaven-forsaken place waiting for battle with the weather intensely hot…and naught but occasional shots from the rebels pickets to…make me afraid…I have since learned all the mails from this army are stopped in Cairo by order of General Halleck…this order does not affect mail coming to the army…we have been advancing slowly towards Corinth driving the Rebels before us. For the last two weeks we have exchanged shots daily and sometimes been compelled to fall back. We are now outside of their fortifications. We have advanced in a half circle and fortified. Every precaution has been used…every mile of ground that we have gained we have put up fortifications in case they should attempt to drive us back…our main line is now within 2 1/2 miles of Corinth…the Rebel lines…is ten or twelve miles long. Rebels through a few shells into our lines every day or two. General Halleck does not return the fire…I presume he knows his business. We have heavy siege guns from 20 to 64 pounder howitzer…these guns will throw shells from three to four miles…the country is broken and hilly…the men are kept in line of battle night and day. All the sleep they have is in the daytime. We have no tents and are not allowed any camp fires at night…every eye band ear open expecting to see the pickets driven in…while I write these lines I hear volley after volley of musketry intermingled with cannon. It is probably a reconnoitering party four or five miles to the left…in ordinary warfare this would be called a battle but here ten or fifteen thousand men engaged…for three or four hours…is called a skirmish…all are eager to have a general engagement brought. They are anxious t know their fate…the Rebels have one hundred & seventy five thousand affective men…write soon your, Will…". Also included is a 4pp. 8vo., letter written by Miss. Ellen "Nellie" Sherman to William from June 8, 1862 with its original stamped transmittal cover addressed, "C. W. Betts, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., Care of M. Brayman, 29 Reg., Ill. Vols., Band." Both near fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.