Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
A Union soldier’s letter written on patriotic stationary by “Edwin” B. Carvey, company I of the 45th Pa. Infantry. The 4page letter is datelined “In camp near Antietam Ford, Md., 8 Miles from Harper’s Ferry, Sept. 20th, 1862.” in part, “It is in some haste that I attempt to write a few lines to you to inform you that I am still alive and well though I have been in two hot battles during the past week. You will probably see the account of both in the papers. In the fight Sunday we were where the bullets flew pretty thick 136 of our Regt. were killed and wounded. 33 of the number being killed, some have since died from their wounds, in our Co. there was killed 1st Lieu. G. D. Smith, 2nd Lieu. James M. Cole and Private George English. There was also four wounded in our Co. we piled the rebels awful. The ground being literally covered with their bodies, such a horrible sight I never saw nor wished to see again, but we followed them up and Wednesday there occurred another awful battle, thousands of poor fellows lay on the fields at the enemy. The way the grape, canister and shell flew was terrific. We came of very luckily only losing 30 or 40 min in killed and wounded in our Regt. there was two wounded in our Co. one of them John Kirkpatrick I hear has since died. The day after the battle we lay on our arms all day waiting reinforcements. The nest day we started after the enemy by found they had skedaddled across the Potomac getting completely away from us. So we marched near the River and here we are. What the next move will be I know not but expect we will move shortly. Sept. 10, so you see we have not heard from anybody. ... The troops are in pretty good spirits but are some tired. Lida you must keep writing. I may get your letters sometime. I may not live through another engagement but if I fall it will be in good cause and I hope to be always remembered by Lida come what may but time presses and I will have to close. ...’
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