Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. William Hazen Noyes, Co. E, 12th Mass. Vols. "Camp near Darnestown, Oct. 29, 1861", in part: "…recd…a journal from Henry Johnson with the report of the battle at Balls Bluff. It is very near correct but from all accounts…the loss on our side is stated smaller than what it is. Almost all the officers in the 15th & 20th Regts were killed or wounded…it was poor generalship from some one. Gen. Stone…all he had to carry reinforcements was 3 small boats & 1 larger ferry boat. They had to cross onto an Island & then to the other side. Then they had to march up a hill almost perpendicular & they had to fight or fall or run down that hill into the river or stand there & be cut up…the troops fought bravely. The officers were picked off from Rebel sharpshooters in the trees. Here is a sort of explanation of how it was [Noyes draws his map here.] After they saw that they were over matched & saw that they could not make a stand they run down the hill & rushed intuit he boats & sunk the large one…a great number were drowned. The 19 Mass. was on the Island to reinforce the others, but were not needed. Gen. Evans (Rebel) told Col. Hinks that if [he did not] leave the Island that they would shell them. Hinks commenced digging entrenchment's & planted two pieces then they told him if he did leave they would shell him. That night they left, but no shells & no one hurt. The Rebels captured two pieces & turned them on our troops…[and captured] the colors of the Tammany Regt. 42nd N. Y. V.). The papers say Banks has got possession of Leesburg, it is no such thing nor has he been only across the river…we are sent back near where we were before the fight…W. H…". The lower right corner is missing, effecting Noyes last name, but the original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG
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