Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Coleman Tilden, Co. H, 43rd Mass. Vols., Newbern, [N. C.], May 22, 1863, to his parents, in part: "…yesterday a brigade started for Cove Creek…the rebels having again made the appearance…Gen. Wilde has come out here to raise a negro brigade. Well, the darkies are having a great time…day before yesterday three hundred men enlisted and today they have been marching round the place. In less than a week they will have a full regiment. The pay is $7 a month and clothing and rations. All they want is to get up a little excitement and the negroes will get so excited that they will all flock to enlist. There are lots of new officers here now, strutting round in great shape to show their new shoulder straps. I don't envy them…I am glad to see that they are working the darkies in. It is about time that they did something. I don't see why they should not have a chance to get shot as well as white men…they are expecting the 54th regiment here every day…I should not wonder if they would fight. I know they will if they do not run…it will never do for them to be taken prisoner. It would be the last of them sure. If they were not killed, they would be sent where they could not get north very soon…the 44th will go home on the steamer that brings them…five hundred of the 3rd New York artillery started for home…their flag which was all tattered and torn was covered with names of battles in which they had been engaged. Among them was Fort Macon, Newbern, Little Washington (Sept. 1862), Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsboro and Rawl's Mills…the 44th have got permission to have Washington inscribed on their flag. The last was the second fight that has been there. The one of Sept…was a desperate one for a small fight. Each party had their cannon planted in the street and they killed a great many men…the expedition that I told you had gone from here has sent in some hundred and fifty…prisoners. They surrounded them up on the railroad…and the rebs had to give in…they [also] captured…two pieces of artillery…the rebs received reinforcements and attacked our rear. Our folks had to fall back, the rebels following them and trying to play the same game that our folks did…but our men cut a road through the swamp…there is a great excitement all of a sudden. I saw one regiment (the 25th) come in the cars…Mass. troops the 5th, 46th and 27th, the 25th has got in. It has been awful hot and the men could not stand it…Coleman." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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