Capt. Charles E. Cross Is Killed While Their Bridge At Fredericksburg.

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

Rare war-date Union engineer's letter, 2pp. 8vo., written, "Battalion of U. S. Engineer Troops" stationery, by Pvt. Jerome Bottomly, Co. C, U. S. Engineers, "Camp near Falmouth, Va., June 11, 1863" concerning a very obscure, but meaningful event for Capt. Cross' family, of an engineer commander being killed while with his detachment as they crossed the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, Va. on June 5, 1863, in part: "…I suppose you see by the papers that Capt. [Charles E.] Cross was killed and were anxious to hear from me…only one man was killed besides Capt. Cross. All the wounded will live…there was a piece in yesterdays N. Y. Herald that I have copied to send to you. I have seen several pieces…about him. Monday night I was across the river nearly all night, laying out rifle pits. I was beyond the picket reserve. We lay out a long line of rifle pits is this shape. [Drawing of rifle pits appear her at the bottom margin of the front page.]…Gen. Hooker has stopped all furloughs now, but they may be given again…it is very hot tonight. I am writing in my tent by the light of a candle stuck in a bottle and hung up as a chandelier…Jerome." Also included is the small 2pp. slip written on Capt. Cross mentioned above, reading, in part: "Capt. Cross. The death of Capt. Cross of the Engineer Corps occasions much sadness. He was an accomplished soldier and a most estimable man…an officer of high position assert…that among the long list of major generals…there could not be found a man more thoroughly drilled in military science than Capt. Cross. The scene as his men gathered around him after he fell was very affectionate. Each one as he passed by stooped and kissed the cold pal forehead…and there were very few among those veterans whose cheeks were not stained with tears." Both pieces overall VG.

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