Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a member of the 100th Penn. Vols. (Roundheads), "Camp of the 100the Regt. P. V. V., Va., Oct. 31, 1864, in part: "…we have just got back from another flank move on the left in which the army did not accomplish much owing to circumstances which will come to light in due season…the casualties of the Roundheads was one killed, tow wounded…and no deserters. I don't think there will any move in Grant's army…until after the election…the Army of the Potomac wont fight like they did sometime ago owing to politics which has down more to demoralize men then any other that has transpired during the war. There is a great [many] democrats in the army and they are still gaining more everyday…why that is…the officers are getting more and more tyrannical every day. They have got to punishing men for little of no offense…making them carry heavy logs & poles and putting boards on their back marked thief, coward and forty other things…the other day I passed…some 13teen men where they were made to carry a hugh log 7 in one place and six in another…I heard then say here is 13teen more votes for Mac and no wonder the men are tired of the war…every little skirmish we get into you can see the officers with their filled canteens of whiskey…when the men see this…they lose all confidence in them and in such cases the flanks are exposed to the enemy. There is three grades of officer. The hamfats, the heavys, the woolyheads and promotion-seekers which are not worth a cartridge or they would of got it long ago. The only officers we can depend on is the true patriots…which are all nearly killed and wounded…if we don't look sharp. This election McClellan will be elected and we may blame it on men that we place all confidence in in the army…there is a great many men thats tired of the war…you will find that the old vets will vote for Old Abe, but in battle they have no confidence…the only way to accomplish anything is to banish all politics, unite the north and all join together and with a determined to a Union.". Unfortunately an ancestor, who was taken aback by this letter's content, has excised the authors signature. A bit light, else VG
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