Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 2 1/4pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Head Qrs. Baty 14," [Petersburg, Va.], Jan. 31, 1865, in part: "I have something to tell you…[of] great importance and may not come before the public…I wish to tell you in haste. Peace Commissioners have gone to Washington from Richmond today in the persons of Vice President Stephens, Hunter & two other prominent men from the South. I saw them myself. They came in from Petersburg not two hundreds yards from my command…a special car and locomotive came from City Point and staid at Meade's Station until they arrived to take them on their way. All wandering what it meant…at 2 p. m. we noticed six officers among them Maj. Genl. Parke comdg. 9th Corps approaching the Rebel lines bearing a large flag of truce on the Weldon & Petersburg Pike…[they] halted waiting the arrival of the commissioners presently we seen a large train of vehicles coming from Petersburg which met our party. They shook hands and took conveyance in a splendid couch and four gray horses, prepared for their reception, belonging formerly to Genl. Hancock…[they] proceeded to the waiting train for City Point. Upon their arrival cheer after cheer filled the air from both armies bidding them God speed. I know not what they may accomplish, but my prayer is that the end is close at hand, that they may soon consider and weigh well the sorrow and pity that will result from the continuance of the struggle…W. H. Thurston, Lieut. Baty F, 1st Pa. Arty, 2nd Corps…". Minor toning, else VG
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