Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union officer's letter, 10pp. 8vo., written, on embossed patriotic stationery, by 1st Lt. Maurice Leyden, [POW Darbytown Road, Va., 10/07/64, confined Libby Prison & Salisbury, N. C.], Co. B, 3rd New York Cavalry, New Bern, N. C., Sept. 6, 1862, in part: "…when I wrote you last our Co. was acting as bodyguard to Gov. Stanley but we are now in the field again…our Company occupy the advance post on the road to Kinston. I have been out twice within two weeks to meet Flags of Truce and one this week with a Flag of Truce…to receive…ladies and men from the north who had been unable to get home until now. The one I went out with took three ladies- southern who had been visiting at the north and this was the first opportunity they could get to return to their homes…I have had good opportunity to meet the enemy on friendly terms, as well as hostile. I always prefer to meet them on the latter…I talked freely with the rebel officers. Those I have chanced to meet…have always appeared veer friendly…but some of our officers say that when they have been out with Flags of truce, they have not only been insulted by the rebel officers…but by the very ladies they had been escorting and protecting…there has been no men allowed to pass our lines under any circumstance. Some…of these ladies would be very polite to our officers and men until they came in sight of their rebel friends and then their insults and abuse has been almost intolerable. There was a man who came in from the rebels lines…and informed us that a strong force of the enemy were coming down to attack us…I have strengthened our picquet and am on the look out…I only hope that the enemy will attack us and try to cut us off. I should like very much to see the game played…it [is] high time we began to avenge some of the wrongs that have been imposed upon us. Since our regt came to North Carolina we have suffered much. It is the only cavalry in this department and we have had rebel cavalry, infantry and guerrilla bands to contend with…Gen. Foster last evening…sent out…three companies of infantry to reenforce us and form an ambuscade…secesh did not make us their intended visit…the rebels say that they will occupy Newbern as winter quarters. If the reports are true…as to our army in Virginia I should not be surprised if they did…I should never suffer myself to be drafted….I am glad to think I did not wait to be drafted…I am truly yours, Maurice". 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.