Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Head Qrs. Baty 14," [Petersburg, Va.], Feb. 25, 1865, in part: "…I still remain in Baty No. 14 and expect to stay sometime although we have marching orders, but I think I will no move for sometime…I had the honor of firing a shotted salute yesterday in honor of the fall of Wilmington N. C. There was a large crowd of men collected to witness it. I had no accident and it went all well and good. The army seems to be in good cheer …the next fight…will be a letting blow to the Rebs. We will have some hard fights but I think…the end is drawing neigh. The Rebels are deserting by hundreds which must soon deplete their ranks. They are without a doubt hungry and tired of fighting. They are also ragged and dirty with forlorn looks and are objects of pity. Two men had their heads blown off yesterday close here with mortar shells. [They were] members of the 51st Pa. They lay in their tents sleeping…when the death monster fell among them. It was a shell 8in in diameter which exploded with a great noise…Lieut. W. H. Thurston, Baty F, 1st Pa. Arty." VG
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