Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A great Sherman's March to the Sea Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Hospital Steward Carey E. McCann 68th Ohio Vols., "Camp in the field near Savannah, Ga. or Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 17, 1864" to his mother, in small part: "…I was paid…near Marietta and will send it…by Henry Seeling [Co. D, 68th Ohio]…I have marched nearly four hundred miles since I wrote…and lived principally upon the forage brought in from plantations along our line of march by squads detailed expressly for that purpose…I ate freely of all that was brought in, marched hard…both day and night…I never enjoyed a march any more than this last…we were only twenty seven days enroute for this place which we are now besieging…Savannah is but a little distance from here and is garrisoned by…12,000 southern troops not including 8000 of our own who are prisoners of war and armed against us…it is reported that there are twelve thousand of our men in Savannah…they also say upon honor that there are not rations enough in the city to last…longer than 12 days…the city and soldiers…will be in our possession inside of this month. This country is very level and is interspersed with many small streams (all salt water) swamps…rice is the principle staple of production, also sugar cane, niggers in droves can be seen any time. Savannah is supposed to be as valuable…as Vicksburg…I do hope Charlie is in S_ so that I can see him safely relieved from the Johnnies…so that I can help him get revenge…the rebels never scarcely made their appearance in our front during the whole march down here. Sherman played Hood a nice "Yankee trick" in coming this way…as soon as Savannah is ours…we [will] take up our line of march for Charleston…feel confident that we can take it…I saw Captain [Benjamin] Pinder [38th Ohio] at Atlanta and will get those things the next time I see him…good night, sweet dreams, dear Ma, Carey." Minor soiling, else VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.