Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's battle letter, 4 1/4pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "On the field near Petersburg," [Va.], June 19, 1864, in part: "…I am as poor as a sled in June. The cause is owing to the loss of sleep and the arduous duties the campaign has demanded…I would not complain could I see that after all the loss of life and limbs had given us any advantage…to the contrary I see nothing but war and desolation. true we have gained the field in some instances but not until we sacrifice the flower of our army. Last night at 4…the 2nd Corps made an advance…to storm the heights of Petersburg but was repulsed with heavy loss. The dead and wounded have laid all night on the field and we cant get them. They have been crying for help, but all in vain. Poor men how I pity them but such is the fruits of war…yesterday I came…near being torn to pieces when the charge was made. We run our battery out and opened fire. One of their shells exploded near my piece throwing the ground all over me…fortunately none of the fragments touched me. We crossed at the river James at City Point on the 15th on transports. We lay south east of Richmond and in sight of Petersburg. I seen Brother Sile of the 17th. He is well. He showed me that one musket ball passed through his cartridge box, one in his canteen. His clothes also have holes torn in [them], but he is unhurt. The weather is hot and dry…the scenery along the James is beautiful. The country is fertile and in time of peace it was a land of pretty homes, but this war has spread desolation…all over our fair land, churches to hospitals, fields to graveyards…this army will not take Richmond without large reinforcements…I cannot see how we will get them…the prospects…does not look bright…the press…seems to try to make the public believe that Richmond is almost within our grasp. The people should know that we have lost 60,000…good men as ever faced the storm of battle and Richmond is not taken and not likely to be…the people should know the truth…W. H. Thurston." VG
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