Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
A Union soldier’s letter written and signed by August Schlapp who on 10/25/1861 he mustered into "F" Co. IA 5th Cavalry, re-enlisted on 1/14/1864 and was Mustered Out on 8/11/1865 at Nashville, TN. He was captured 5/5/1862 Lockridge's Mill, TN. The 5th Iowa Cavalry was called the Curtus Horse. This letter gives an interesting account of their capture at Lockridge’s Mill, Tennessee. The 4pp letter is datelined Fort Heiman, July 6, 1862. In part, “…we received reliable information that 3,000 rebel cavalry cut off our retreat via Paris and were then on our pursue 4 miles in our rear… Seven miles from Dresden we stopped and camped, upon order unsaddling our horses, and preparing supper, when all at once we were attacked by 22,00 Secesh cavalry. We slapped on our saddles and off we went to where our main force was encamped, you here will remember that 40 out of our whole force of 128 fleeing one of them kept a mile in the rear of the balance as rear guard many of this our rear guard was killed, wounded or taken prisoners, before they got to their horses. When we got to the other camp they was not mounted, but most of them soon became so, and we formed a line of battle, but after a very short stand were ordered to retreat, which was done in no order at all, but in an astonishing hurry, then commenced such a funny race between Secesh and Union soldiers which I neve witnessed before. Horses plunging into holes, men tumbling off killed or wounded or jumpin off and taking to the bushes, with the constant roar of musket, carabine and pistol fire, sabe rattle & Indian like yell of the men made a laughable fuss for a cool listener. To make shor a long story 61 of us were taken prisoners, Charles Ende, Henry Schlapp and my small self with and among them. ... Making Moresville, Spring Creek & Jackson, Tenessee as far as Jackson, Mississippi, from there back to Corinth, where we was sent on parole across the lines, into Hallecks Camps. There we met with severe ill treatment from Halleck who contrary to our oath put us to hospital work such as digging graves and burying dead. At last we were sent to our Regiment and upon refusing to report for duty before regularly exchanged, were put in the Guard house and bound to hard labor. After two weeks confinement they read us an order which releaved us of our parole. Most of us believed the order to be a counterfeit and said so, refusing to do duty, those 24 in number were dishonorably discharged or brought over the lines of our camp. Charles Ende, Hy Schlapp & myself entered the company again. ....”
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