Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Homer S. Sackett, Co. H, 2nd Conn. Hvy. Artillery, "Camp of the 2nd C. V. A. [Parks Station, Va.], Jan. 21, 1865", to his brother Augustine Sackett, in part: "…I had got a letter from Sis…she was expecting Frank Tompkins Tuesday evening to go to the theater & see Booth in Hamlet…I was on picket night before last we stay only 24 hours now…Grant gave orders that we might exchange papers…if we could (It was strictly forbidden before)…the object was to get some of his orders concerning rebel deserters into their hands. Several of us volunteered to go…Taylor went. He tried directly in front at first going 3/4 of the way & within pistol shot of them but they told him they could not trade [and] that he had better go back…he then went to the left where the lines are nearer…this time was successful…a reb sergt. came & met him. Taylor had a paper & in his pocket several copies of the order …he was to give if he thought proper. The reb had no paper but was glad to get ours & seemed to be very glad to get hold of the orders & said we need not be surprised to see him over one of these days. They traded knives & other trinkets. The reb said that if he was caught he would be court marshaled. They shook hands as they parted. The Johney said that Ft. Fisher was taken. A salute was fired in honor of the victory & like those before brought in lots of rebus…on the 18th…some 800 came in…a large number come in on our left every night. The other night a regt. of them tried to come over bringing along their equipment & when on the way were fired upon by the rebus when they turned & fired back retreating towards our lines…some of them were cut off & taken back the rest got in…for a little while thought we should be called up but our picket kept such a d_l of a noise cheering & the like we concluded all was well…H. S. Sackett." The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "2nd Asst. Engineer, Augustine Sackett, U. S. S. Mattabasett, Albemarle Sound via Fortress Monroe & Roanoke Island.", is included. VG
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