Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
War-date Union officer's letter, 8pp. 4to., written by Lt. William H. Mickle [WIA Gettysburg, 7/01/63], 134th New York (as staff officer to the chief of artillery 20th Corps), "Hd. Qrs., Army of Georgia. Office Chief of Artillery, Raleigh, N. C., Apr.17, 1865," to his wife, in part: "As joys & sorrows commingle in quick succession…the events of our National triumph are immediately succeeded by National calamity…the cruel intelligence of the assassination of our once noble & revered President (Abraham Lincoln) has just reached us. We have not been officially notified, but fear it is too true…so soon after the death…of Secession & after he had guided the helm of our gallant old ship…he was so brutally murdered!! God have mercy on us…never…have I felt so fearful a blow as this…we feel a sickness down deep…that cannot be expressed in words nor tears…Oh! these Civil Wars. How bloody, how terrible!!My heart bleeds for my country this morning…shame to those…who so far forget their duty to their country, to humanity…as to exult over this lamented calamity. I am glad that the fortune of war keep me here…for I should never allow friend nor foe to insult the dignity of the American cause…were I at my father's or James' house…& they make light of this thing & chuckle at the death of our hero-our Nation's friend-it would be a sufficient cause for me to never visit them again!…may I never be compelled to feel the…deep sadness of this hour again…tears will not suffice…in the principles inculcated by our former Chieftain Abraham Lincoln…we would march next a. m…Genl. Sherman countermanded the order just before retiring…Sherman got a communication from Joe Johnston to the end that Sherman would ascertain from Grant whether…Johnston could have the same terms if he surrenders his army…upon the receipt of which Genl. Sherman informed him that Genl. Grant had authorized him (Sh-m) to give just such terms as were proposed to Lee. Yesterday, Genl. Johnston sent word to Sherman that he desired to meet him today at 10 a. m. about 25 miles from here on the Greensboro R. R. and there have a conference…what the result will be I can only surmise…if Johnston hesitates at all Sherman need only tell him how exasperated our army are at the murder of Lincoln & then he'll not wait long…[Tuesday morning (18th)]…Genl. Sherman, as ever, keeps his own counsel & no one…knows the particulars…however…they resume their conference again this a. m…both armies are not to move from their present positions during the time of treaty & everyone feels confident that the fighting is over…we received the official notice of the murder of his excellency…last evening just after Genl. Sherman returned from his visit to Johnston. The effect on our army is sad, very sad! All feel a depth of sorrow…it is said that when Genl. Sherman announced the sad fact to Genl. Johnston yesterday that he (johnston) expressed deep sorrow & regretted very much that so ignominious an act should be attached to them…& hoped the innocent people of the South would not…suffer for the heinous act-they all hate Andrew Johnson, Vice President who now assumes the position of chief magistrate…many…suspect a vast change in the tenor of affairs about the National Capitol…Johnson [he was drunk] at the time of his receiving the oath of office on the 4th of March…did, indeed degrade himself before the country…but reports are poor criterions by which to judge…[the] character of a man…he is a man of brains & doubtless the dignity of the high position…and the wise heads of Cabinet, Senate & Congress will all have a good tendency for keeping him straight before the people…the south have lost their best friend in the person of Abraham Lincoln…Johnson hates them with a bitter hatred & will demand the most exacting terms…let us pray that great good may come out of it all. Genl. Howard says…(the murder of Lincoln) was the crowning act of treason & that after Slavery could do no more…& destroyed the man who was the greatest friend to human liberty…what a sacrifice!!…[3 P. M.]…we are anxiously waiting the return of Genl. Sherman from his conference with Johnston relative to the surrender of his army…since the reception of the news of Lincoln's assassination…many of the officers & men hope Johnston will refuse the terms offered by Sherman so that we may overrun their whole country…they [will] visit destruction upon the people of the South-Our country is avenged…[11 P. M.]…Genl. Sherman has returned but they have not entirely settled the matter as the terms…must be submitted to the President for his approval…that will necessitate our staying here…before we can have the case decided. Meanwhile both armies remain the same. No movement being made…most lovingly, William." An original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG to near fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.