Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Headquarters 2nd Corps in the field near Petersburg, Va., Aug. 10, 1864", in part: "…the troops are all in the positions which they occupied previous to the assault. There has been considerable shelling for the past four or five days and musketry can be heard at all hours of the night as the musketry firing is done from the rear of the works however it is not very deadly. The weather continues dry…and the fly exceedingly annoying…a court of inquiry of which Gen. Hancock is president has been convened at these Head Quarters to investigate the cause which led to the disaster on the 30th inst. Some throw the responsibility upon General Burnside, others think General Meade [is] to blame, but the truth is no one knows as yet who is responsible…there will be a large quantity of liquor consumed in the process…a terrific explosion was heard here yesterday in the direction of City Point. The news boy…reported that "City Point was all blown up" an that a considerable number of lives were lost. It was reported…that the arsenal at that place had been blown up. Today it is said to have been a car load of ammunition…I sincerely hope there will be no trouble in enforcing the draft next September. There appears to be a great deal of grumbling in regard to it at present…the President must either push the thing through or lose the votes of the army next fall. Gen. early appears to be doing in about as he pleases in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The burning of Chambersburg seems rather hard but I don't know as the citizens of that place are to be pitied much after all…instead of running like a flock of sheep overtime a raiding party enters the state…they wound remain and defend their property Chambersburg need not have been burned. If the citizens of Petersburg had acted as did the people of Chambersburg, Petersburg would have been in our possession long ago without the loss of a man…Geo. S. Youngs." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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