Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. James A. Hudson, Co. H, 1st New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, "Camp near the James River, Va., July 5, 1862", to his cousin, in part: "…since Friday last…we commenced this retrograde movement. We have scarcely had an hour's rest…the track from Mechanicsville here has been one continued battlefield. The slaughter has been terrible…the enemy suffered a much greater loss than we did doubtless 5 to 1 and we whipped them in every engagement…our army was forced to retreat…it is a strategic movement and gives us an advantage over our enemies…it seems to us very strange. A week ago we were within 4 1/2 miles of Richmond. Now we are nearly 20. The end of the war seems farther off now than it was 2 months ago…doubtless everything is working for the best…our courage is as good as ever. Rebellion must be crushed and we are going to do it. Our cause shall be sustained although it may be at a great sacrifice…the whistling of bullets and the bursting of shells etc sound very different on the field than in print…I am getting more cowardly than usual…our Regt. has been very fortunate and our loss is very small. Our squadron was…under fire from 2 batteries and a cross fire of musketry…yet we lost one man while [a] number of the infantry, who were lying close to the ground on either side were killed & wounded. The 4th passed very pleasantly. The bands for the first time in about 2 months struck up and made Rebeldom resound with National airs…the gunboats fired salutes of 34 guns, not blanks but 13 in. shelled pitched among the enemy…they red a few shells but got away from the river as speedily as possible. The Galena and Monitor are lying here in the river…J. A. Hudson." VG
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