Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., Warrenton, Va., Oct. 23, 1863, in part: "…we left camp near Auburn this morning…our situation…is about midway between Warrenton and Warrenton Junction on the line of the R. R…the army will go into winter quarters without another vigorous campaign…unless largely reinforce it would be madness to lead it against the Rebel Army behind its fortifications. The grand contest…will be in Tennessee. Lieut. [Martin] Stanton [WIA Morton's Ford, Va., 2/06/64; Wilderness, 5/6/64 & MWIA Petersburg 6/16/64] received intelligence of the death of John Stewart [Steuart KIA Bristoe Station, Va., 10/14/63] also of James Snyder [DOD 10/11/63]. The latter has been in hospital for the last two months…the news of John's death will make Mrs. Stewart nearly crazy…the whole Co. sympathizes most deeply with her in her great affliction…Gen. Owens commands the 2nd Brigade instead of the 3rd…shortly after leaving Centreville Gen. Hays took command of the 3rd division and Col. Willard of the 125th, as ranking officer of the brigade, the 3rd, assumed the command and continued in command until the 2nd of July when he was killed at Gettysburg. The command then devolved upon Col. Sherrill. The next day he was killed and Col. [Clinton D.] McDougall of the 111th [New York] being wounded let Col. [James] Bull take command…[he] retained it for some time after our return to Va when…Gen. Hays relieved him and gave the command to Col. Coons of the 14th Indiana. He continued in command until relieved by Brig. Gen. Owen shortly after Gen. Hays obtained leave of absence and Gen. Owen assumed command of the division. Col. McDougal who had returned took command of the brigade. Meanwhile three Regts of the 1st brigade had been sent to New York to prevent a riot there. The 2nd brigade was then called the 1st and the 3rd the 2nd. When those troops returned the brigade took their old number again. Previous to this Gen. Hays had returned and Gen. Owen resumed the command of the brigade and has continued in command ever since. This is the history of the 3rd brigade since leaving Centreville…the probable reason for the removal of Col. Bull was his ignorance of tactics. He used…to give the order "stack bayonet" instead of arms, but of all the blunders he or any other Irishman ever made was the one he made at Centreville last spring [being] an order…requiring Friday forenoon to be devoted to target practice…a large amount of ammunition was used and Col. Bull made out a requisition for some thousands of rounds…took it to Gen. Hays…the Gen. looked at it and asked him what he intended to do with that ammunition…the Col. [says]…for target practice according to orders. How the H-ll are you going to use blank cartridges for target practice said Hays (he is a very rough man). The Col. had made out a requisition for blank cartridges, but there is one thing certain he is just as plunky as the best of them and liked by every man in the Regt…George S. Youngs…Company G, 126th Regiment New York State Volunteer Infantry, Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Bit light, else VG.
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