Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 12pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Coleman Tilden, Co. H, 43rd Mass. Vols., Newbern, [N. C.], May 1, 1863, to his parents, in part: "…I have once more arrived at Newbern in safety…give you an account of our expeditionSunday night about ten o'clock our captain came round and said orders had come…to be in line at day break with…one hundred rounds ammunition. The powder part of the order rather startled the boys…on the Goldsboro tramp we only had sixty rounds…when we go to Newbern we found all our brigade…and part of Lee's brigade consisting of eight Co's of the 27th, eight of the 5th and two of the 46th. Lee's and Amory's brigades compose Palmer's division and…he was in command…went as far as Batchelder's creek…we all landed except the 45th and seven companies of the 17th. They went ahead…we laid down on the track and waited…the train finally came along…the 58th New York…doing picket duty at Batchelder's creek with two pieces of artillery joined Lee's brigade and started…companies from all our regiments we sent out scouting…the rebels were throwing up earthworks…up the track. Our brigade went up the track and the other troops went up another road to…bag the rebels. They marched about eight miles when they came across the enemy and engaged them. After a sharp skirmish, one or two companies of the forty fifth charged and planted their flag on the works. The rebels had no artillery and skedaddled…the forty fifth had one man killed and three or four wounded…the man was killed by their own fire…the twenty seventh had two or three wounded. Our folks took but one prisoner and he was wounded…our regiment received orders to go up the railroad and guard the pioneers who were repairing the road…it was intended to post pickets…I was detailed. There was thirty of us…under Lieut. Chadbourne we…went into the woods…it was hard work…we were over [our] knees in water and mud…we saw nothing of the rebels…about noon took the cars for Newbern…the 5th Rhode Island…were not on the Spinola March…they were ordered to go just the saem as we were to Washington…they did run the blockade [on the Nansemond river on April 16th as is mentioned in the previous letter] however and a daring thing it was. We went there for the sam purpose and why we did not go by I do not know…the reason that is reported [is] that the captain of the boat we were on said he would not run his boat by those batteries…when those men of our regiment who ran the blockade reported to Gen. Foster as they were ordered to do he asked the sergeant what regiment they belonged to. They told him that they belonged to the 43rd and they were waiting below in the Thomas Collyer to run the blockade. He asked how many men there were with the regiment. The sergt. told him (some 650) Gen. Foster asked where the rest were, why they staid at home. He was answered that they were sick at camp with the Spinola complaint. Foster laughed and turned away. He was not very well pleased with Spinola…and for good reason to. The soldiers here are down on him too…it is lucky for the army that he did not command at Washington. If he had the place would have been surrendered right off…we have had some pictures of the camp taken. I have spoken for two of them. One is the "hollow square" and the other "dress parade". The "hollow square" I want you to keep. The other…I am going to give Mr. Howard if Liza does not want it…I have written to here about it…the pictures were sent to Boston to be copied and when they will be ready is more than I know…it seems as though we had marched all over North Carolina lately…Gen. Hooker of the Army of the Potomac has issued an order…we are to be treated in the same way…that we shall be mustered out the 20th day of June when our time is actually out…Coleman." Also included is a, 2pp. 8vo., April 27th letter written by Coleman from New Bern mentioning getting word to be ready at a moment's notice for the next march. Both the original stamped transmittal covers are included. Both overall VG
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