Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Good pair of war-date Union soldier's battle letters, totaling 6pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Coleman Tilden, Co. H, 43rd Mass. Vols., concerning their first expedition into the North Carolina countryside, to his parents, in part: "…[New Bern, Dec. 9, 1862]…the order came to prepare for a march. We are to go in light marching order…we are to have three days cooked rations and seven days uncooked to be carried in teams…all the troops here are probably going…I do not know whether we are to march or go in transports…Coleman…[New Bern, Dec. 21, 1862]…we have just arrived from an eleven days tramp and we have had a hard time. We also had three battles and hard ones too…I said we had been in three battles, the expedition has, our regiment has been in but two…we were in the hottest of the fire at the battles of Kinston and Whitehall and yet were in such a position that we could not fire. We have had but two men killed and about four wounded, none in our company…we had some narrow escapes. Ed Benner of our company was struck in the breast by a spent ball which went through all his clothes, even his overcoat and cape…just grazing his shaken…our boys are just about played out. They are tired…it has been dreadful hot day times…and cold in the night…Watson of this company has just this minute opened the letter, contains the news of his father's death. Poor boy I pity him, he has just come to the place now, and is commencing to cry…your affectionate son, Coleman." Both of the original stamped transmittal covers is included. VG.
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