Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
A Union soldier’s letter written by George E. French who enlisted 6/24/1861 as a Corporal into "K" Co. ME 5th Infantry. The four page letter is datelined Alexandria July 23rd, 1861. In part, “Sunday morning (the day that the battle was fought) we started about 2 o’clock and marched about 10 miles the last of which we marched without stopping but twice and that not more than 5 minutes and considerable of the way we went on double quick time which is nothing short of a run, and we had on our blankets and 2 day provisions in our haversacks, besides our canteen, cartridge box and belt and you may judge that it was pretty heavy. ... When we got to the scene of the action and came to form to go on to the field there were but little over one half of the Regiment on hand the rest had fallen out of the way from fatigue and what were there were so tired that they were not worth much but we went in and had our share of fighting. It was a hard sight to see the dead and dying all around us but the sight of a dead or wounded person on a battlefield does seem as it would in any other place. We expect to see such things and are prepared for them. ... We had to march over as a ridge before we got to our post in the battle where we were exposed to the fire of the enemies cannon and I can tell you they made a merry whizzing about our ears and came very near us but didn’t hit any of us till we got most there when one man was struck down with one of them we had to go up a hill and through some woods which we were going up they fired over our heads altogether cutting up the trees at the tremendous rate. ... Owing to some mismanagement somewhere – one of the regiments began to retreat and all hands joined in. Mine we did not retreat without orders and they made us march clear back to this place 27 miles without sleep and with only about 3 hours rest, and when we got about here we were so tired that we could hardly go. I lost everything that I had but my clothes that I have got on….” In addition there is a second letter 3pp., from George’s pastor, B. F. Hayes to Elisha O. Drake, a friend of George’s. In part “We learned… some particulars about the last days and departure of G. E. French – how wonderfully his mind seems to have been prepared for the sacrifice! ... His spirit seems to have said “not my will” and do you not believe, my brother, that the same strengthening which came to him who gave himself to sacrifice in the “garden” – strengthened George in the various hours of trail… Mrs. Hayes... deeply sympathizes with you and we daily pray God to bless and keep you and yours till you meet again after having secured the deliverance and established the justice for which you have nobly given so much and one enduring so bravely as much in behalf of us who remain at home as of yourself. ....”
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