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. Jerry M. Cramlett (Jeremy W. Cranibett in CW database), Co. I, 72nd Illinois Vols., "on board steamer, Empire City, March 24, 1863" addressed to Ellen "Nellie" Sherman, concerning their attack upon Fort Pemberton at the mouth of the Tallahatchie and Yazoo rivers, which was hastily constructed out of cotton bales by CSA General Pemberton, in an effort to slow Grant's advance upon Vicksburg, in part: "…a letter…[is] nothing more cheering to the soldier who has left his home & friends and gone forth to assist in maintaining the constitution of our beloved country…we left Memphis on the afternoon of Tuesday March 3 on board the steamer Platt Valley, went down the Mississippi three hundred miles landed at…Bunches Bend…one hundred from Vicksburg…came up near Helena, Arkansas…went in camp…we embarked on the steamer Empire City and sailed down the Yazoo Pass…met Gen. Ropes division going up. They told us the rebels were strongly fortified at the mouth of the Tallahatchie…they did not think their force strong enough to attack said they did not know we were coming to reinforce them…the fleet started down the river…the gunboats have been shelling them today. Our brigade is on the opposite side of the river from the fort. On the other side the rebels had pickets and on both sides of the river they have been skirmishing all the afternoon. This evening we had three men wounded, none killed . While I am writing I can hear the pickets firing at each other. It is hard to see men shot down but this Union must be preserved…we will gain the victory for the gun boats can shell them out of the fort…good night, Jerrie.". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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