Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
Good Union soldier’s three page letter written by “W(illia)m A Smith” who enlisted 8/21/1862 he mustered into "D" Co. PA 116th Infantry, datelined, Head Quarters Bull Run Oct. 18th/63. In part, “ …we are laying here under orders with the horses saddle ready to go in a moment’s notice. We had a very hot time of it at Bristoe Station. They were on both sides of us. There they attacked us on a flank movement. They open fire on us at day light and threw shell right in where we had head quarters. We were all off of our horses when the shell commence coming there. There was a detachment with us. Them I had to horse. There was some awful jumping done then but when we come up to Brook’s Run there we had a big fight and there the Rebs like to got me. I was ordered to go back to the rear… I was coming back to the Division again and I was coming along and looked over the field and seen the Johnnies coming right in our rear and I stopped then a looked and I turned my horse around. They fired at me then and I put the spurs to the horse then and got off. They shot at me 3 times. That is the first time I had the Rebs tell me to halt, but I did not halt for them and went back to the hospital and told the Cavalry of it and they made a charge on them and took a lot of them prisoners. I expect you will see it in the papers about the 2nd Corps taken 6 pieces of artillery and two standings of Colors and 600 prisoners. We had to fight two battles that day and General Mead give us a great blow in the papers about it. ...” The letter comes with its original cover (no stamp) and is in fine condition.
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