Building Bridges & Siege Fortifications at Yorktown.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015

A rare war-date Union engineer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written on "National Observatory" stationery, by Pvt. Jerome Bottomly, Co. C, U. S. Engineers, "In camp Yorktown, Va., Apr. 20, 1862", in part: "…the first three days…we were very busy making gabions. Monday night we part of the company went about a mile and a half to build a bridge. We had good luck and finished it by three o'clock…at night had to go to bridging…we did not succeed in building the bridge…because we took material for what is called a trestle bridge and we found the mud too soft. The next night I was on guard. The company have built three boat bridges over the same creek. For the last few days our fellows have been at work laying out works for siege guns. They use the gabions in making them. Other soldiers have to do most of the shoveling. We have to make stakes and drive them so that the volunteers may know what shape to make the work and how high to throw the earth. [We] see that the gabions lay at the right angle. It is not very scientific work…there was no need of building our bridge in the night but Capt. Duane [future Bvt. Brig. Gen. James Chatham Duane] is very careful of us. He would not let us talk very loud or make a noise building the bridge. I hope McClellan will trap a few thousand secesh here. It may be another week before the regular bombardment commences but I have no doubt the rebels will run or surrender. I have seen two rebel flags flying but I was a mile…from them. Most of the boys are at work today, but I am in camp…to help the cooks…there are some poor looking houses here…the nicest house I have seen is McClellan's head quarters. It looks some like Mr. Hodges but sits on higher ground…the worst thing I find here is wood tick. They get all over us and we have to pick them off every night. Direct my next letter, Co. C, U. S. Engineers, Fortress Monroe, Care Capt. J. C. Duane, Gen. McClellan's Hd. Qrs. Jerome." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG to near fine.

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