Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Pvt. John H. Chamberlin, Co. D, 5th Mass. Vols., New Bern, N. C., Nov. 22, 1862, in part: "…our regiment have been up to Tarboro 85 miles from here. They had two slight skirmishes. There were about 12,000 in the expedition principally Massachusetts troops. When they got to Tarboro they found a large body of the enemy…our troops turned around and marched back to Plymouth where they took the Gun Boats…back to Newbern…the Expedition did not amount to much…Tarboro…is the junction of the rail roads leading to Richmond, but they got to Tarboro they found the enemy to strong for them…some of the Boston papers claim…a great victory and that we have taken three thousand prisoners…such is not the case. We did not capture a hundred…we only had two slight skirmishes. There were four men killed in the 44 Mass. and some in the 5th New Jersey. There was a considerable number of the Rebels killed and as we made a very quick advance the Rebels did not have a chance to carry off their dead…they were left on the ground and buried by our troops…our troops burnt nearly the whole of Hamilton. There was some very fine buildings destroyed…by fire and the boys broke into the stores and loaded themselves down with tobacco, silks & apple jack. We are camped about a half mile from the city of Newbern between to forts and behind breastworks…direct your letters to John H. Chamberlin, Co. D, 5th Mass. Regt. Newbern, N. C." A bit light, but very readable, else VG
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