Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union soldier's battle/siege letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Robert Henry Greenfield, Co. I, 130th New York Vols., "Camp Suffolk, Va.," Apr.17, 1863, to his wife, in part: "…we did not leave Suffolk as I supposed…when our regiment got aboard of the cars. The orders came that Suffolk would be attacked and we was ordered back to camp…the next day our pickets was drove in on three different roads. Skirmishing has been kept up ever since. Today is the first and hardest fight that we have had…one of…in our company was wounded. The Rebels are in sight all of the time. There has been firing for six days more or less. We had to lay on our backs and load. I did not want to fall back when the bugle sounded, but I had to obey orders. I had just got up where I could fetch the gray backs every time but…the bullets whistled over my head. There is reinforcements coming in all of the time. The 136 Regiment is at Norfolk now and the one hundred and fourth is coming…we expect a big fight here everyday…it will be a bloody one before they ever take Suffolk. They are getting themselves in rather a tight place for some of our forces are coming up in the rear of them. We have taken many prisoners already. We will have to lay in the rifle pits tonight. I have not slept but one night in a week. I have sent twenty dollars in a letter to you and I gave A. J. White ten to send…I thought it would be safer with him if it is my lot to be shot. So be it…Robert H. Greenfield…". VG
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