Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
Union volunteer's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Kirkland Newton Cowing (1843-1863, KIA Chickamauga, Ga. Sept. '63), Co. A, 6th Ohio Vols., "Camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 28, 1863," to his brother attorney and New York City judge Rufus B. Cowing, in part: "…just returned from a little skirmish [that] our division had with about 900 of [John Hunt] Morgan's men near Woodbury about 20 miles from Murfreesboro toward McMinnisville…we lost (that is this division)…15 men wounded, none killed. The enemy lost their colonel and some more in wounded [and] in captured…the regiment…are generally healthy, what is left of them. Our loss now instead of decreasing foots up 196 men killed, wounded & missing. My feeling in a battle can hardly be described when laying in line hearing all the firing. My feeling were none the most agreeable but after firing the first shot my only thoughts were to load and fire as fast as possible. But a soldier is so often disappointed expecting a battle when none takes place…he never knows when he will get into one until he commences firing…I am sick of seeing human life wasted as it is and if we could have a little more of the much abused strategy and less of these pitched battles in which nothing is gained I…would be satisfied…promotions…are very peculiar . If a private took…5 batteries, 700 prisoners and killed 4 generals…he might…get a commission nut otherwise without personal friends it would be impossible…all seem to think Gen. Rosecrans gained a great victory but I do not see it…we have Murfreesboro and that is all. The enemy took as many prisoners as we and more guns. We took some 3000 of their wounded and now we are fortifying the place…the cost was more than we could afford…I hope now "Old Abe" has set the niggers free. He will make them earn their freedom, make them fight. I have no confidence but if they will put about 10,000 of them in front of our division we will not let them leave the field. There never now can be a Union and I care not what takes place now if I could get out of the army honorably…Abe has us now and fight we must, but I tell you we do not have much heart for it…by this time you must think I am a Secesh but [that is] the way with all Republicans. If a man does not think as they do they are rebels and ought to be put in Fort Warren [prison]…slavery is not the question, but [whether] has a state the right to make its own Local Laws. I say they have. Slavery is a Local Law and why will the people of New England try and meddle with that which does not concern them. I am a Union man, ready to die for the Union but I am not ready to die for the nigger of Greely…do you remember when in Fillmore's time…you fluctuated between Fillmore & Fremont. Two of our wounded have died since the battle and one other is in danger…K. N. Cowing…". Brother Rufus then added the following scathing commentary of Kirkland's views, in part: "I have just received this letter from brother…we don't agree on the nigger question at all. I believe God brought this was about to put this cause of slavery out of our land…we disagree (friendly) as the fellow said. I am going to try and convince him if possible…Rufus B. Cowing…". Light toning, else VG
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