Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's battle/execution letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Camp somewhere in Virginia," Sept. 17-19, 1863, in part: "…we are on a mountain [Cedar Mountain] near the Rapidan river and have a splendid view of the county…when we came here last night we could see the fighting over by the river as plain as could be. We could see two of the enemy's batteries throwing shot and shell at our fellows…we could see the flash of the guns and the smoke which rose from each report. I could also hear the crack of musketry occasionally though not very distinctly. The batteries (ours) are harnessing up and I suppose we shall soon move…we left Culpepper yesterday…[Friday, September 18, 1863]…our brigade was put on picket and had a great deal more traveling to do than the rest of the division…our pickets are within half a mile of the Rebel pickets which are on this side of the river. They occasionally exchange shots…I have written this with ink of my own manufacture made on the march…we were highly gratified…by the rerun of Lieut. [Martin] Stanton [WIA Morton's Ford, Va., 2/06/64; Wilderness, 5/6/64 & MWIA Petersburg 6/16/64]…there is some cavalry, artillery and infantry going outside of the pickets…there will be some fighting soon…[Sept. 19, 1863]…the fight, it was scarcely ten minutes after I quit writing before, we saw the cavalry form on the other side of the woods and charge on the rebel pickets. The carbines cracked pretty lively for about three minutes. The Rebel yelling to scare our men, but that is "played out". The Johnnies opened a battery and threw a few solid shot…a cavalryman…had his horse shot [from] under him…it was the 16th Pa. Cavalry and…they were ordered to come up here and skirmish with them to draw their attention while the main body crossed at another place. He says the cavalry have done about all they can and that the infantry will have to do the rest…two men belonging to the 14th Connecticut (which…belongs to our Division) [Pvt. Edward Elliott a drafted man in Co. I and Pvt. George Laton a substitute in Co. K] were shot in the presence of the division yesterday…the men or one of them was shot five times before he was killed. After the procession had halted…the square was formed the men being seated on their coffins, their eyes were bandaged and everything being ready the detail of eighteen men were ordered to fire. A great many of them snapped and one or two went off. One of the men fell over on his coffin. He was not dead however. The other not being hit immediately threw up the bandage from his eyes and looked to see if his companion was killed. Three men immediately advanced to within a yard or so of him, pulled up their guns, right in his face and again the guns snapped and failed to go off. Other guns were tried and they failed. Finally the Lieut. in command of the party drew his revolver and shot him in the head three times…although the men doubtless deserved their fate it seems to me they might have been murdered in less time than that. They were substitutes and their crime was desertion…George S. Youngs". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. A bit light, else VG.
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