Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's battle letter, 7pp. 8vo., written by 1st Lt. Wallace McGrath, Co. K, 15th Ohio Vols., "Head Qurs. 1st Brigade, Tullahoma, Tenn., July 4, 1863." The battle of Liberty Gap was fought on June 24-26, 1863 as Union Army of the Cumberland commander William S. Rosecrans attempted to flank Confederate General's Baxton Bragg's right flank during the opening of the "Bloodless" Tullahoma Campaign. As McGrath recalls in this graphic letter a seesaw battle ensued and they trounced the Confederates forces forcing them to abandon Middle Tennessee, in part: "…[I] have been so busy…with marching and fighting…that I have no time to write…on the 24th of June we marched from Murfreesboro…and marched 14 miles to Liberty Gap when we met the enemy, three Regts strong, posted on the high hills…each side of the gap…after quite a brisk skirmish our brigade carried the hills by outflanking the enemy and getting on the crest of the hills and then charging on them…that day we lost about 63 killed and wounded. After driving the enemy for a mile…we had quite an artillery duel…the enemy lost two or three killed. After that another brigade came forward and relieved us and stood picket…the next morning our brigade was again put in the front and…our division was as far advance as General Rosecrans wanted us…we went on picket that day. The enemy kept sending out patrols…to feel & find where our lines were…he made a determined attack…with a whole division…we had two Regts on picket…[they] held the whole brigade of Rebels at bay for an hour and until their ammunition was exhausted when the 15th Ohio was ordered to relieve them…when the 15th came up…the other Regts borrowed cartridges from them…the 49th Ohio came up in fine style and all the Regts advanced and drove the enemy…for a hundred yards…the enemy then put their whole division in line and were about to charge on our four Regts but Genl. Johnson had ordered another brigade to our relief as we were out of ammunition…charged on the enemy and drove him back…all this time the artillery of the enemy and ours kept up a continuos roar and shells were exploding in every direction…this division has got revenge for what the same Rebel division gave us at Stones River as two brigades of this division whipped Clairbournes [Patrick Cleburne] whole division of three brigades…every one…larger than ours. Our brigade lost in killed and wounded 49 men. I had my horse shot and badly wounded so that I had to leave him. He was a good horse and one that I had ridden through the battle of Stones River…he stood the fire splendidly and [I] was very sorry about him. This pen that I am writing with was taken out of a dead Rebel's pocket by my black contraband…from Liberty Gap we marched to Manchester which is about 12 miles from here…the Rebs were supposed to be there…the whole army expect our division stared after them…the army approves of the nomination of the Union Convention and will support them…they are good men and will do their duty…I am 1st Lieut. of Co. C 15th O. V. U. S. A…I rank from the 1st of April…W. McGrath ADC…". The original transmittal cover is included. Near fine.
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