Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's battle 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 near Warrenton Junction, [Va.], July 29, 1863", in part: "…this is…the longest rest this corps has had since we joined it…I hear nothing of the movements of Lee's army for the last five days…it is a matter of indifference to me where we go. I saw a copy of the Observer…in which was a list of the killed and wounded. I had intended sending…a list of those in our Co. but I do not know whether it is best or notFrederick Seaver is called "Spicer", W. E. Bishop is not wounded at all nor Thomas Yeo [actually he was being listed as severely wounded on the Third Day. Subsequently, he was discharged on account of those wounds.] although the latter is sick in hospital. There was three killed and ten wounded. Chas. Farnsworth has since died and it was supposed that Daniel Day would not live. Lieutenant Holmes was killed by a sharpshooter the morning of the 4th. He had just reached the skirmish line when he was shot through and fell forward in a pool of blood. There was but little fighting on the fourth, but skirmishing was kept up all day and his body was not brought off until after dark. I helped dig the grave and we buried him…at dead of night, but his grave was…a hallow one…it was all that could be done at the time. Our Regt is to be filled up with conscripts. I pity those fellows…after they get here. They will have to suffer all kinds of abuse and if they don't keep hands on everything they own they wont keep it at all. Long fingers is an almost universal disease with soldiers. Some profess to think it a virtue so long as you do not take anything from your own Co…I do not understand what you mean by saying that "you fear that I was about sick. The reason I did not go on with the rest." Unless you refer to the time we marched from Frederick to Uniontown…then I went on as soon as the Regt did…I saw in…the paper after the battle of Gettysburg a paragraph speaking of the hospitality of the people of Pa. saying that they kept a table set with open doors and some of them even sent their children and servants out into the streets asking the soldiers into eat…as far as my experience goes I had rather trust…to the hospitality of the secesh in Va. than to the dutchmen in Pennsylvania. In Virginia we could get bread for 25 cts a loaf. In Pa. for the same thing we had to pay 50 cts and 25 cts for a canteen full of milk…of all states I ever saw I like Maryland the best. There is some of the most magnificent scenery I ever saw…and the women are almost universally good looking…the 126th Regt has traveled over…as much ground as any…from N. Y., Va. and…Illinois …to Pa. then back to Virginia…we expected…before Lee succeeded in crossing the river to have another battle but we have not had it…Meade is waiting for the conscripts…G. S. Y." The front panel of the original stamped patriotic cover is included. A bit light, else VG
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