Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Rare war-date Union engineer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Jerome Bottomly, Co. C, U. S. Engineers, "Gen. McClellan's Head Quarters, Va., June 5, 1862", in part: "I am…about seven miles from Richmond and near New Bridge. There was a fight last Saturday.[Seven Pines]…I could hear the musketry and cannon very plain about 4 o'clock in the afternoon we had to fall in and stack our arms…we went over to the Chickahominy river, but did not commence work. We loaded our guns, but did not cap them and laid down the best we could. I was laying on some logs with my gun in my hand and slept most all night…at daylight Sunday…we commenced work. We had left the boats covered up with brush and we soon had them out and the bridge across during the night. The water rose and when I woke up I found the logs…kept e from being in a pond. Some of the boys rolled off their bed[s] and got wet. It was pretty wet working Sunday. I was up to my knees a good part of the time. Before night we had two bridges across, but one was not finished on account of the high water. After we finished the first bridge Gen. Barnard ordered Lieut. Babcock who has charge of Co. A to take twelve men and examine the road on the other side. They had not gone far when I heard six or eight shots and in a few minutes saw them come back bringing one…man in their arms. He had been shot through the right lung. He has not died yet and there is some hope of him now. It is not right to send the men out in advance. The Lieut. did not like it. I went down to the bridge the next day…the party all went in swimming. There was nine from each company. Both days our batteries were shelling the rebels over our heads. I hear there has been a great excitement North on account of Bank's retreat. There was no excitement here. I do not think the Confederates are as strong as the papers say…the best way to direct my letters will be Co. C, U. S. Engrs, Gen. McClellan's Hd. Qrs., Va. I hope Richmond will be ken before I write again…Jerome." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG to near fine.
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