Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Homer S. Sackett, Co. H, 2nd Conn. Hvy. Artillery, [n. p., but near Petersburg,Va.], July 3, 1864, to his brother Augustine Sackett, in part: "…Co. H, G & E have been on picket for 3 days, are usually relieved in 24 hours but this time a division of cavalry that went to tear up the Weldon Rail Road…got in a tight place & the 6th Corps went to their assistance leaving the pickets to hold their positions. The rail road got well tore up. The rails bent by piling up the ties, laying the rails across & setting fire to the ties. Had the rebus advanced on the picket line we could have held them until reinforcements could come up as we were in a thick wood…it is almost impossible to march in line of battle through such a place, add to that a galling fire from pickets deployed as skirmishers & should they drive us we each take care of himself…loading behind trees or whatever should screen us from their bullets…we had some splendid breastworks to fall behind. We are some 3 miles south of Petersburg…our picket line is about half a mile from the railroad where the rebus are in force…it is very hot & I marched but a short distance when the heat proved to much for me & I dropped out of the ranks…Capt. [Edward F.] Gold came along with his company [G], halted & let Charles & two others stop and help me along. I went a little…lay down again. A cavalryman came up & asked if I was sick. They told him how my case stood. He said I must not stay there as there was some rebel scouts in our rear & I would stand a chance to go to Richmond. He put me on his horse & let me ride some two miles up to the Regt. He is the only true man I have met…the water don't agree with me…dig well in the swamps to get water…& the dust there is no end to [it]…our new Col. [Capt. Ranald S. Mackenzie who took over command on June 6th after Lt. Col. Hubbell refused the command] was wounded [in the right hand and lost two fingers] the other day [June 22] while we were on skirmish and advancing. He exposed himself a little to much & was clipped by a sharp shooter…they saw Alfred [Sgt. Alfred Hatch 7th Conn. Vols., WIA James Island, SC 6/16/62 & Deep Bottom, Va., 8/16/64. DOW 9/9/64]…he says he has seen war enough & shall let some one take his place if they want it…H. S. Sackett". The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "Augustine Sackett, 2nd Assistant Engineer USN, USS Mattabasett, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron", is included. VG.
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