Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 5pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Fort Warren, [Va.], Sept. 10, 1864, in part: "…[there is] so much confusion that it is almost impossible to write. The sharpshooters are at work all theme and we must keep our heads down to be safe. Last knight a musket ball passed through my tent, but went too hight to injure me. The noise awakened me. Everyday some poor fellow gets wounded or killed by these sharp shooters. I noticed one yesterday shot thru the mouth. His teeth fell on the ground. We had quite a fight on the knight of the 8th. A party of picked men charged the Rebel skirmish line and captured it entire. The most of the poor fellows was asleep. They fired a few shots and surrendered. The Regts that charged were the following 99th Pa., 20th Ind'a., 2nd U. S. Sharpshooter. The charge was made at 1 o'clock in the morning.The firing lasted until daylight. We have good news from Sherman's army. I hope tis all true and the war may come to a speedy close. We are tired and so are all the good Union loving men…I have been busy all day fighting the Republicans with my tongue. I think Gen. McClellan might save me some money to stump the army. I am making some votes for him everyday. The Reps. have a hard road to travel in our Baty. We have gained the majority by hard work…I get all the Democrats around me and then take some good paper such as the Sunday Mercury, North[umberlan]d Co. D[emocrat] and read. Then you should hear the talk and speculations and different opinions…generally all passes without any ill feelings. McClellan is quite popular in the army. I must close now. Skirmishing is going on quite brisk…the band is playing Dixie and may close with Yankee Doodle…W. H. Thurston…". Light soiling, else VG
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