Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's letter, 7 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Camp of the 126th N. Y. V. Centreville, [Va.], June 18, 1863", in part: "…vast numbers of troops passed through here yesterday…the 11th Corps formed a picket line immediately in our rear as it is always their habit to do their own picketing. They wished to relieve us last monday, but Gen. Hays would not allow it. He told them if they thought our line was not strong enough they might form one in our rear and they did so making it about five times as strong as ours. About 12 o'clock tuesday night they were drawn in having received marching orders. About two o'clock the reveille was sounded and immediately the "busy notes of preparation" could be heard…shortly after I witnessed one of the grandest sights…for miles around Centreville could be seen the campfires of the different encampments. The country here is a succession of hills and valise and they were all filled with gleaming lights…I was on picket on the Braddock road of revolutionary memory being the road…he marched to his defeat. The head of the column reached here at daybreak led by Gen. Howard in person, the 11th Corps having the advance. The column was marching at quick time and continued to pass uninterruptedly until about three o'clock p. m…not one third of the troops went out on this road. A great many of the men threw away blankets, overcoats, dress coats etc. I picked up one new blanket and one of the men pulled off a brand new overcoat and gave it to me. They have both been drawn since the battle of Chancellorsville. The over coat is worth…seven dollars…we heard heavy cannonading tuesday in the direction of Harpers Ferry…it is supposed that the column which went out on the road were going to the relief of that place…the 11th Corps will be at Leesburg the morning early…the boys found several old friends…in the passing regiments…the 14th Regulars…say a great many have fallen dead on the march from the heat. 30 fell on Sunday's march…of the 5th Corps…there was about 60 rebel prisoners brought in here today among them two majors and a captain. Several of them are wounded. They were taken by our cavalry about ten miles from here. There is said to be 15 thousand out there. These prisoners all express confidence in ultimately achieving their independence and a determination to fight for it to the death. One of the members of one of the batteries which has been here…saw a rebel [and] call[ed] one of them all defenseless as he was a name that no one likes to be called…a zouave belonging to the Third Corps stepped up and knocked him down…[it] served him right. There is a rumor that our army corps is to be organized, reviewed and inspected at Arlington Heights and will then take the field. It is reported that we shall leave here shortly for that purpose…G. S. Youngs."The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Minor soiling, else VG.
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