Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
A great war-date Union surgeon's battle letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Surgeon Perez R. Randall 5th (West) Virginia Vols., "Camp near Fort Ethan Allen, Milroy Brigade, Sept. 19, 1862. Head Quarters 5 Regt. Va. Vol. Inf.", to friend Richard M. Vinson, in part: "…Dick I have seen the elephant. After we left Culpepper and after the battle of Cedar Mountain we marched north tot he Rapahannock and there in a distance of 12 or 15 miles we fought about 12 days, everyday and sometimes fight all day & march all night till we were near worn out, then marched to Bull Run where we fought 3 days. The first day not much, but on Friday & Saturday we lost 16,000 men about 70 from our Regt. I amputated a leg for Jack Lockwood and which doing it a 24lb ball went right past his head & shells striking & bursting all round us. One wounded man [that was] brought [back] and set down within a few feet of me was cut nearly in two by a shell…when the shell came too thick into our place called a hospital…we left. We are now in front of Washington guarding the approach on the Va. side while McClellan is fighting in Maryland [Antietam]…there has been a petition got up by the officers of the regiments to be sent back to western Va. but I think it will hardly take place till the fall campaign is over. They intend to give Stonewall Jackson a threshing before they stop. Now McClellan is hard after him…do not be surprised if you hear soon of our being after him towards Richmond…I have had an opportunity to learn what it is to be a soldier. I sleep on the ground with a blanket. We have had to leave our tents, baggage and all that hinders speedy marching…I want you to write me all the news about the country [Prestonsburg, Kentucky]. What the Rebs are doing and about the Rebs in town. I heard that Troy was killed…what is the feeling in the county…about the Rebellion…I need more money to get him cloths this fall…I was glad to hear that you were elected clerk. Write who is judge…Respt. yours etc. P. Randall." VG
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