Battle Fort Stedman, Virginia Letter

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

A war-date Union heavy artilleryman's battle letter, 4pp. 4to., written by a member of Co. F, 14th New York Heavy Artillery, "Camp in field near Petersburg, Va., April 1, 1865," written to his wife. The 14th N. Y. H. A. was the only heavy artillery unit on the field that fateful day during the battle of Fort Stedman. They manned Fort Haskell which is located to the left of Stedman and helped in supporting the Union forces in recapturing the fort. The letter reads, in small part: "…it [is] quite likely that I may be on picket tomorrow…I think I told you in my last about our fight of Saturday the 25th…the few men which remain of our once large battery "F" were the first in the Rebel Breast works yet we knew comparatively nothing of the position of the matter along the line to the right and left having our attention entirely absorbed by the work in our immediate front. On reaching the line of right pits, having charged across a field some forty or fifty rods in breadth, the boasted "Southern Chivalry" scampering for "dear life" as we advanced at double-quick". We found no enemy to dispute [in] our right to take possession of them [the works]…at that moment, as I mounted the breast works, by the side of Lt. [Charles H.] Bailey now in command of our Batty., I felt a good degree of justification in firing at the flying Johnnies…there is a strange something that seems to take possession of the mind and feelings of a man, who is worthy of the name of soldier, in the hour of battle. It is very natural for a man who believes in religion…to examine his heart carefully…as he sees the preparations for a charge progressing rapidly. Oh, my dear wife, I assure you it is a solemn hour which a man…can never forget…Oh: how precious, in such an hour, is the sweet assurance that God is our friend and loving father…the command is given and as by magic the mind is instantly brought to a full comprehension of its position. The charging lines are in motion. The gait is usually double quick and as the lines advance…the whistling bullet and the screaming shell all conspire to make up the most horrid concert the imagination can conceive…I cannot describe the scene…nor will I take you to the place selected by the surgeon for a temporary hospital…the sickening sight there presented…cannot produce a picture so horrid…after a sharp fight…I van only trust in him for the picture. There has been sever fighting on our left some few miles for days in succession…we know that the left of our line has advanced a number of miles and…has taken the South side Rail Road…this was accomplished on Wednesday and the Rebels has been trying since that time to retake it…the Rebel loss must be very heavy in a contest so-long continued without success. Our men are doubtless entrenched and the rebels, in trying to drive them back, must expose themselves…than our boys…President Lincoln has spent the week in our army and he has been seen some hard fighting. I sincerely hope he has witnessed the last struggle of the expiring Confederacy. Surely the Reb Army in our…has acted…like a hen with its head chopped off…". Signed several times with the last name Massey. His name is not found in that unit's muster rolls, but extensive research proves his regiment is the 14th. Minor ink stains, else VG.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).