Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 3 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Homer S. Sackett, Co. H, 2nd Conn. Hvy. Artillery, Poolsville, [Md.], July 15, 1864, to his brother Augustine Sackett, in part: "We do not take short trips or stay in one place. We are now in pursuit of Early & his soldiers. We (the 6th Corps) left…Petersburg the night of the 9th & marched to City Point…owing to the dust it was all one could do to breath…we…marched 18 miles in five hours…we got aboard the transports about 5 Sunday afternoon & landed in Washington…marched up 7th street and on to Fort Stevens. They were shelling the rebus from that fort at the time. Citizens were plenty. We lay there until night & marched some two miles to our left…as support to Fort Reno. In the morning Co. H & C were marched up to the fort to take a light artillery battery but we were doomed to disappointment for as we were just at the gate the order was countermanded which of course caused considerable growling. The Regt then marched back to Fort Stevens…there is to be an execution at 1 today of a fellow who went over to the rebus & helped them…while we were at Petersburg, came into our lines & gave himself up as a reb but was detected, has been tried and today pays the penalty. I can see the gallows from here when I have witnessed this execution I believe I have seen all the punishment soldiers are subject to. I feel as though there was something to fight for up here…in those pine swamps around Petersburg it was rather hard work…I am glad the Alabama has been destroyed but am sorry Semmes got clear. The Albemarle seems to keep mum. [Capt. Homer] Curtis keeps up good spunk…I notice these marches tire him pretty badly…I heard from Alfred [Sgt. Alfred Hatch 7th Conn. Vols., WIA James Island, SC 6/16/62 & Deep Bottom, Va., 8/16/64. DOW 9/9/64] the other day…only 50 days more for the fellow. I hope he will live it through…there goes the murderer…to be hung (when arrested he shot a Lieut. & two men) a crowd are going to see the sight…your truly, Homer S. Sackett". The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "Mr. Augustine Sackett, 2nd Asst. Engr, US Str. Mattabasett, N. A. Blkdg. Squadron", is included. VG.
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