Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
War-date Union soldier's letter, 3 1/3pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Gustavus B. Williams, Co. K, 51st Mass. Vols., Evan's Mills, N. C., June 17,1863, in part: "…Col. Sprague in an order has announced that transportation for the 51 Reg has been secured about July 1…yesterday and day before were sad days indeed. On the 15 poor Freeman my chum was drowned in the creek near our fort. He and I were swimming there. I [was] at some distance from him when I saw him struggle and hastening to help offered him a pole, a minute too late…for he sunk…with my best efforts I could approach him. He must have had a cramp or a fit for he made no outcry. His body was found within an hour and his funeral was attended yesterday under the trees before the officers quarters. All the company here were present, the Cav. standing guard. Rev. A. L. Stone of the 45 Reg. officiated and the ceremonies were exceedingly impressive and affecting. Though I was alone in the stream at the time of melancholy accident another was on the bank…and assisted me all he could…this has proved the most shocking of anything we have yet seen in camp. Freeman was an excellent man about 25 yrs old. A good scholar, a strong abolitionist of the radical stamp and as firm in principle as any man I ever saw…I miss him greatly…today I am to go to the city with others to [give] evidence in a trial of some of our men for sleeping on guard. We go in an ambulance and expect to be very comfortably accommodated…G. B. W…". VG
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