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 Petersburg," [Va.], July 22, 1864, in part: "…all seems to be quiet except a few mortar shells bursting and some skirmishing…rumors about the rebel raid has been circulating through camp…little is known regarding it and the authorities seems to care less…the Sanitary Commission is furnishing us vegetables of all kinds…the call for five hundred thousand more men will take the people by surprise but I earnestly entreat the good people not to attempt to resist the enforcement of the call…I must stay [until] my time out. We have just recd a order from the War department that all commissioned officers must stay in the service three years from the time of promotion. This will be unfair and will cause many to decline the offer…do not think that I will give up and go to the hospital. I am tough and tired and will stick to the last [then] to go to the hospital. To me it looks like going to the grave…In do not know what to tell you as regards my opinion when hostilities will cease, but I do not think that our people will continue in their madness …I pray that God will place a star in our political horizon to guide the nation to a haven of safety…think of the pangs of sorrow and despair that these battles must carry to the hearts of friends…you wished to know how the soldiers felt after the merciless sacrifices have been made…they are all tired of the war, but the pride of the American Soldier never him to duty…the eyes of all nations are turned towards us and sooner than disgrace our flag we will all perish on the field…the Regts in the 2nd Corps have lost two third of their number…killed and wounded…I rode four miles and only found a mud hole…the sutlers are coming up but they insist upon having exorbitant prices…W. Thurston, Battery F, 1st Pa. Artillery, 2nd Corps…". A bit light, else VG
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