Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Camp near Chickahominy," [Va.], June 7, 1864, in part: "…we are now in line of battle. The Rebel flags can be seen with the naked eye and bristling cannon and ten thousand muskets are ready to spread death and suffering the moment we advance…the fighting was heavy on the 2nd and 3rd. Gen. Hancock made one of his dashing charges but was not so successful as on the river. Still we gained part of their works but not until we lost many brave men, among them General Brooks. Skirmishing is heavy all along the lines. Musket balls are whizzing all around me as I am writing, but I have some shelter that we have thrown up and I feel safe…yesterday there was a cessation of hostilities for one hour to gather up the wounded and bury the dead that made an offensive smell between the lines…both ratios hoisted the white flags and men exchanged papers, traded coffee for tobacco, shook hands and had a jolly time. I had a Waverly magazine and papers to exchange but I was too late. Our men commenced moving artillery which they discovered and the Rebs dropped the white flag and both armies took their muskets. I was compelled to run for life to avoid being shot…I thought when I seen men together talking and laughing why not make up and go home…we may soon gain an honorable peace, but the untold suffering on this field…will…make every sober minded man come to the conclusion that for the welfare of the nation and sake of humanity…we are now about 12 miles from Richmond…the loss of life will be enormous. You wish to know who our generals was. We have none but Hancock and he is worth as much as half the rest here…W. H. Thurston…". Light toning, else VG
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