Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
A good war-date Union officer's letter, 4pp. 4to., written, on "Head-Quarters Twentieth Corps" stationery, by Lt. William H. Mickle [WIA Gettysburg, 7/01/63], 134th New York (as staff officer to the chief of artillery 20th Corps), "about Atlanta, Ga., July 31, 1864", to his wife, in part: "…Sabbath has returned, its would be quiet hours are filled with battle shouts. The artillery of Heaven (thunder) together with ours about Atlanta reverberates through woods & vales…we have had two more hard fought battles since the 20th…our loss…in which the enemy were seriously repulsed…on the 20th about (2,000)…22d about (3,500)…27th about (700)…the Rebel loss on the corresponding dates…on the 20th they admit a loss of (6,000)…on the 22d about (10,000)…on the 27th about (5,500)…at this rate we would soon use up their army & are willing they should attack us every day till the thing is accomplished…Genl. Hood will be more careful how he assaults us hereafter for he has lost more than (1/3)…of his army…our army is in finer spirits than ever…but we mourn the absence of our beloved Hero Genl. Hooker. I hope he will have a command where his ability will be appreciated…In Virginia Grant's men have done much hard fighting & need rest…our troops…have been successful in each & every engagement [and] have marched triumphantly into the heart of Southern Georgia & are knocking at the gates of doomed Atlanta…after which we can pursue them still farther into Rebeldom…the Rebel army thoroughly whipped before Atlanta & Richmond & the war is virtually at a close. All their hope now is to keep up a good show till election and if a Peace man is elected their success is sure, but if we reelect Lincoln & push this war vigorously they cannot hold out…Genl. Williams is in command of our gallant Corps & though he is but a Brig. Genl….he is very efficient & competent…our boys think there is no one who can fill the place of "Fighting Joe". He never asked his men to go farther toward the enemy than he went. Our artillery is brigaded again and your unworthy husband is Asst. Adjt. Genl. of the brigade. The position is a good one…soon we will rest in Atlanta…William." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG to near fine.
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