Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 7pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Coleman Tilden, Co. H, 43rd Mass. Vols., Newbern, [N. C.], Mar. 3, 1863, to his parents, in part: "…our chaplain [Jacob M. Manning] furnished us quite a joke the other day. He took a gun and went out shooting right in front of our camp and about one hundred and fifty yards off…we was out on dress parade when we heard the report of a gun and a bullet whizzed right over our heads. The colonel immediately ordered a file of men with a corporal to go and arrest the man. When they got to where the man was who was it but our chaplain…they obeyed orders put him under arrest…and carried him to the colonel. He fired at a duck in the creek and the ball skipped on the water and came over our heads so that is not his fault. It was lucky none of us were hit…you ought to have seen him come in. He put his cap down over his eyes and folded his arms and did not look up or around at all. The boys…laughed and made fun of it. He seemed to take it pretty cool. I should not wonder if he made quite a story of it in some of his letters to the journal…he writes…over the signature of Old South. To show you how much our colonel thinks of his men…letters arrived in camp last night just at "Taps" when we are obliged to put out our lights. The colonel sent word…to keep their lights till ten o'clock, an hour later, to give the men time to read their letters. You would not find many officers so thoughtful…the men think everything of him…yesterday we had orders that not a single man should leave camp as an attack on New Bern was expected…there is a placed called Little Washington about thirty miles from here…it is possession of our folks…the rebs made an advance on the place, reinforcement were sent for and Gen. Foster started with them…they have been surrounded and…there has been a strong north wind…it has blown the water out of the river…the gunboats cannot get to their assistance. A large number of troops have been sent up there…we have heard heavy firing for two days since…which we suppose are the gun boats shelling the woods. Last night the gunboat Hunchback, that carries a hundred pounder was sent up there…Gen. [Thomas J. C.] Amory [colonel 17th Mass.] himself brought the orders…he is the only general in Newbern now all the rest are at Little Washington…he is to act as major general…he has put Col. [Charles L.] Holbrook in command of this brigade…Col. Holbrook has been busy ever since we got the orders posting himself up all the places round here…they say the place cannot be taken. Scouting parties…report no rebels round, but our generals are wide awake…our folks at Little washington are victorious and driving the rebs in every direction…the 44th are up towards Little Washington now, so…perhaps they will have a chance to blow without lying…your affectionate son, Coleman." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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