Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Headquarters 2nd Corps near Petersburg, Va., June 19, 1864", in part: "…we have had a pretty hard march and there has been some very hard fighting here for the last four day. Our front line is now within a mile of Petersburg. Our Regt lost heavily again on Thursday afternoon. Col. Baird was killed, Lieut. McDonald Co. I, killed, Capt. Richardson, Co. D, wounded, Lieut. Dibble Co. K wounded, Lieut. Lincoln D (adjutant) left arm off. John Riley and John Dunnigan Co. G killed. George Deatze Co. H killed [and] some others whose name I have not learned were wounded…another charge was made yesterday afternoon in which our Regt was engaged…Lieut. Stanton was mortally wounded yesterday and die last night at the hospital…a message was received at headquarters this morning from Col. Baird asking to have this detachment sent back or to be relieved of his command. For some reason it has been delayed four or five days…what action will be taken in regard to it we…do not know…Gen. Hancock is temporarily disabled, his wound having broken out again. A piece of bone was taken out today…Gen. Birney is in command of the Corps. We have just moved headquarters a little over a half a mile farther to the front inside of the first line of the Rebels works. There works were taken Wednesday evening…they are the most formable works I have yet seen and had the Rebs had a large force here it would have been almost…impossible to have taken them…it is a very difficult task to take Richmond and if it is taken by the first of September "Abraham" will have cause to say to Grant as he did Mead last fall "well done". I saw several regiments of Burnsides "unbleached Americans of African decent" and I must say they marched in better order than most white troops do. There was no stragglers and two of their officers, formerly of our Regt, informed us that they always marched in good order…the city of Petersburg is in sight from the fort…G. S. Y." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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