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. 4to., written by Pvt. Homer S. Sackett, Co. H, 2nd Conn. Hvy. Artillery, "Camp Parks Station, Va., Jan. 15, 1865", to his brother Augustine Sackett, in part: "We are still in camp…near where we had a skirmish last July while advancing our picket line the rebus then holding Weldon Rail Road…an occasional dash on our picket line constitute the variety to our…monotonous life. Yesterday was the first they have tried our brigade picket & they only fired on the pioneers who were putting up…abates in front…the pioneers stopped work until night when they finished…they mean to throw up earth works tonight…I am on guard today but…can stay in my shanty until night, shall have to walk two beats…[Homer] Curtis in now ordinary officer…several lieuts which he ranked have been promoted what the reason I don't know & don't care…Miner [Pvt. Minor Strong WIA (leg) Cedar Creek, Va., 10/19/64] came back the 2nd. He is looking first rate. His wound entirely healed …it was quite a teat to see him…while in Warren he was cock of the roost. Miner would not be afraid to tell them what he thought…thus a terror to peace men & a bean for the ladies…Pa is looking ahead to the time when we may once more be at home & our country at peace…when I enlisted I did not think how much help I was to him…it does me good to hear the hungry Georgians beg & I hope that the Charlestonians may soon feel the same hand in their hair which brought Savannah to her senses. Peace Commissioners are once more trying to raise a breeze. I have but little faith in them…secession will kill the Confederacy [or] they will kill themselves rather then submit to Old Abe. Deserters are coming in every day, some smart able men & some dirty ragged boys. They say the Confederacy is about played out. Some of our bounty jumpers try the same game&…get caught. Our Div. was out last Friday the 6th to see one meet the severe penalty of the law. He in the first place reenlisted & went home on the 30 days furlough…went to Connecticut enlisting & getting a large bounty again, deserting he goes to New York & plays the same game going to Canada where he falls in with a sailor & they go aboard a privateer…he runs the blockade at Wilmington & getting up to Petersburg he tries playing rebel desire but was detected at City Point, court marshaled & sentenced to be shot. Once it might have had some effect on my feelings to have seen a live man carried to his grave. His coffin in a wagon just ahead the band playing the dead march, but times have changed. I have seen too many shot…one remark I heard…chime with the feelings of the majority. (I wish the one that ordered us out here in the mud had to be rolled in it. If he wants to shoot the d_n deserter let him. I don't want to see it.) The mud was about 4 inches deep…our duty is not hard. Petersburg sounds rather bloody but when you come right to the point tis not so much worse than other places before we came here I thought anything but Petersburg…tis just the same as any other place fighting is bad business go where you will…H. S. Sackett." The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "2nd Asst. Engineer, Augustine Sackett, U. S. Str. Mattabasett, Sounds of North Carolina", is included. VG.
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