Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Rare war-date Union engineer's letter, 3 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Jerome Bottomly, Co. C, U. S. Engineers, "Near Falmouth, Va., Apr. 16, 1863", in part: "…about all the cavalry went away from here Monday morning with eight days rations. There are eighteen thousand of them as near as I can tell…here. Tuesday we had…orders to turn in all extra clothing and be ready to march any moment…we would have marched yesterday but it rained all day…we are to take no wagons. The camp kettles etc. are to be carried on pack mules. We will have to carry most of the rations in our knapsacks. Everybody is guessing where we are going…last Sunday I went over to the 10th to see J. Knight. [Pvt. John L. Knight, Co. F, 10th Mass. transferred 37th Mass. WIA Winchester, 9/19/64]. The regiment was out on picket…I went down to the picket line on the river about three miles from here and walked down the river as far as the pickets…our pickets and the rebs are not more than a hundred yards apart and could talk together if it was allowed. They often send little boats across when the officers are not around with tobacco and papers. I found the 10th, but John was not with them. He is on the ballon corps. There is about forty men to tow the ballon around and to pull it down by four ropes. The balloon never goes up unless it is fastened by ropes sometimes it has to be towed along for miles…there is enough men so the same party does not have to work everyday. There are two balloons here now and one of them is up nearly everyday. It has commenced raining…things look as though Mr. Hooker would have to delay his "forward movement" for a few days longer…Jerome." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG to near fine.
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