Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
A great war-date battle letter, 4pp. folio, written by a certain "Bill" of Co. K, 50th Mass. Vols., [n. p., but Port Hudson battlefield], June 25, 1863, copied by brother Edmund, concerning the battle of Port Hudson on May 27, 1863 and of the Confederates refusal of a flag of truce which did not end well for many who lain upon the bloody battlefield over four days, reading, in small part: "Not knowing what to call this place I will say it is 50 rods from the breastworks of Port Hudson…we left Baton Rouge 12th of May…we were on line at 4 o'clock…at daylight we heard out major say turn out 50. In quick time we were on line…hungry as bears we started not knowing where…as we passed Dudley's headquarters he came out and said as follows: Brave men of the 50th you men…have never been under fire. Keep cool! Keep cool!…we marched out on the field and the batteries had just opened. It was a continuos thundering over our heads. We were to support the 21st La. battery. The rebels returned our fire briskly…a man came running to the Col. and told him he must send three men to bury two men that had been shot. Capt. Barnes said…I was selected as one…the last shot from the rebels had cut two of our men right in two. It was a sad sight, but I must pass on…an order came for the 50th Reg. to move to the left centre to go into a charge. Co. E, was working a big gun so they could not go…all that could go was 4 companies…under command of the major…we piled our bread under a tree and off we marched…we formed in line of battle…the 166 N. Y., 48 & 49 Mass., 21st Maine, 2d La. We formed but before we got ready they commenced firing and the grape came through the trees like hail and the third or fourth shot one of Co. F…was hit. The order came forward first brigade! Charge bayonets! double quick!. We had to go about 5 rods in the woods then came out right in front of their rifle shot…I fired my guns three times…they fought like brave men…but instead of our piling their ground with bloody slain they did ours…we were driven back and lay on the field 5 hours…and then retreated…we lost killed & wounded 1900 men. So much for the 27 of May. Then Banks said he would starve them out but finding Johnston in his rear he was obliged to draw off…now he has got 300 large guns planted right in front and next Sunday they will open and…the whole army will move forward to try to scale their walls…we have got 300 men off the gunboat Richmond to work the mortars…not one of the boys from Byfield in the 48 is here. They played off sick…so far the 50th have lost but 3 men shot…Charlie Dresser & Hawkins are both dead…the guns are going all the time night & day. Last Sunday we sent in a flag of truce to bury our dead & get our wounded but the Rebels refused it and the poor fellows had to lay there until Wednesday when the worms crawled out of their wounds…good bye-Bill…". VG.
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