Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
A Union border-state soldier’s letter written and signed by Sergt. John Burgess who on 12/10/1861 he mustered into "H" Co. KY 14th Infantry and was Mustered Out on 1/31/1865 at Louisa, KY. This two page letter is very tightly and neatly written, datelined June 10th, 1864, Foot of Allatoona Mountain, Georgia, 25 miles beyond Kingston & 20 miles from Atlanta, In the field on the left of the extreme front. In part, “Next day our brigade under command of Colonel George Gallup was attacked by 2,500 Cavalry under the notorious General Wheeler. We fought desperately for one hour and 20min. The most of the engagement was hand to hand. The smoke and dust was so dense that it was with difficulty you could distinguish file leader! In the main we came off second best, the Rebs burnt & captured about 100 of our wagons, carrying off the drivers. ... The Rebs fought under a black flag. They captured a good many of our troops two companies of Woolford’s Cavalry. But be it ever remembered they paid dear for it. ... Next day 24th May we started for front – distance 25 miles, & in three days arrive without any particular incident square to the front, on the left wing of Sherman’s Army, within rifle shot of the Rebel breastworks. There we fought for 6 days & nights without one hours intermittence. The 14th resisted three distinct bayonet charges in one night! We had a good many killed and wounded, but the destruction of the Rebs, oh’ God: they lay in heaps. ... At another charge that was made by the Rebs against a division of Ohio & Michigan troops the same night just on our right the Rebs lay in heaps to the count of 25 hundred such proceedings I am told are common all along the line. ... The Rebel forces here are computed at 95 thousand under Johnson. Our forces 120 thousand. We have to fight them at great disadvantage, though we still keep driving them before us. ... Our troops are in very good spirits some has got the bullet fever. There is no use of talking if we have not smelt powder & lead. No soldier ever did. Your humble servant stood in it one night in particular when lead came like hail & many a poor fellow bit the dust. They fell on my right & left. But I find a fellow soon gets used to it. The night I speak of our Co. was detailed outside of the breastworks on the skirmish line within pistil shot of the enemies’ Sharp Shooters. While an incessant fire was kept up they then charged on the skirmish line. We stood firm, received their fire. Our men in the rear believing we had retreated & mistaken us for the enemy opened a flank fire on us dealing death and destruction in our mist. This taken place in a dense forest, I was keeping up a strong fire behind a strong tree. I soon found I had to change my position and bare my posterior to the Rebs! ...”
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