Wounded In Action During The Hellish Battle of Chancellorsville

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017

War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. William Crawford, Co. B, 73rd Penn. Vols. [WIA Chancellorsville 5/02/63 & POW MIssionary Ridge, Tenn., 11/25/63], Washington, D. C., May 21, 1863, in part: "…we left Stafford on the 13th of April [marched] to Mount Airy near Kellys Ford from there to Chancellorsville whare we met the enemy. Tired and much worn out we arrived on the 29[th of April] and had a skirmish the next day driving them back…on the first of May we held them until Saturday evening the 2d of May when the battle became general at 5 o'clock then we had it hot and heavy. The rebels came division by division, half drunk hooting and yelling like madmen. I never saw the like of it before. The heads and legs and in fact the bodies flying in the air. I really thought heaven and earth were together. We had three charges of grape and canister firing at them but we were compelled to fall back. I was fighting for one hour and a half when I was wounded in the arm above the elbow. Our brigade gets good praise for standing their ground so well when the other cowardly wretches were running away from us, leaving us to the Mercy of the rebels…when I look back and see the critical position I was in I have great reason to thank God that it is no worse with me then it is. I am getting along very well although I cant straighten my arm yet. It does not hinder me from writing although my arm still trembles with a little pain. We were badly cut up. There is still a number of our company missing yet. I should like to come home and see you all but I fear I wont get, anyhow I will content myself the best I can…Wm. C. Crawford. Finely Hospital, Ward No. 4, Washington, D. C…". Light soiling, else VG.

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