Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 7pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Camp in front of Petersburg," [Va.], Sept. 8, 1864, in part: "…we are on the front line near Fort Warren. We do some firing but it amounts to but little as both sides have good works for protection. We had quite a time on the evening of the 5th. All the batteries on the entire line recd orders to fire 34 guns in honor of the capture of Atlanta by Sherman's army…it was a grand sight. The air for the distance of 15 miles was filled with bursting shells to which the Rebels replied briskly. They looked like so many firey dragons flying to and fro…scarcely a night passes but what we must get up and send a few iron compliments to the enemy. They are apt to deprive us of our rest. During the whole night they are firing on some part of our lines especially in front of the 9th Corps. The Construction Corps have made a railroad along the entire line this week and the cars are running knight and day bringing supplies from City Point…looks like home to hear the cars running…Captain Ricketts gave me a nice little horse to ride. He is a yellow color and white main and tail. I think almost as much of him as the one I lost last spring..what do you think of Genl. McClellan since he recd the Chicago Nomination. Has he a good chance…to secure the election. I hope so. He has many friends in the army where he will get a large vote. Has the draft taken place…the soldiers mostly think the end close at hand and all seem hopeful the news from the southwest comes good…just now two men going to the spring for water were badly wounded. One belonged ot the N. H. 5th the other to the C[o.] F 1st Arty. Every day some poor fellow gets a poke from these sharpshooter, tis not safe to put our heads over the works, but what a dozen bullets come whizzing near…from your Will, away down South in Dixie, Bty. F, 1st Pa. Arty." VG
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