2022-11 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2022
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Alfred A. Thayer, Co. B, 96th Ohio Vols., "in the rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 3, 1863," reading, in part: "-there has been considerable excitement here today. The Rebels ceased firing & pretty soon they raised the white flag. One general, one colonel & one of their staff officers came to our lines on horse back. They dismounted & our officers took them, blindfolded them & took them to head quarters. They stayed there a couple of hours then [were] led back-what their business was I don't no. Some say to get to take their women & children out of Vicksburg & some say it is to make a surrender, but I cant tell. They were fine looking men. The names was General [John S.] Bowen & Colonel [Louis M.] Montgomery aide-de-camp to Vicksburg's commander, Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton]-the forts were thick with rebs-our boys was up talking with them so we are having fine times today-I hope a surrender. We have quite picketing in the rear & gone in front-it is a very hard place to picket in front. We have to go at night & stay til the next night-aren't allowed to lay down while we are in the rifle pits. The dust is very bad. [It is] hot enough to roast agues[?] Our guns get so hot that we could hardly hold them & had to keep up a constant firing day & night to keep the rebels from throwing hand shells into our fatigue men that were digging right up to their forts-[July 4]-it is with pleasure that I can write the surrender of Vicksburg at last. It was 10 o'clock this morning the 4th. You ought to have heard the cheering. It made many a heart beat with joy. The reels came out of their forts & stacked their arms. The number I cant tell-I had a bully dinner today. Wm. & my little self had a can of peaches, dry beef, fresh lite dried crackers, tea with mustard-I am bully disappointed. I expected to get in Vicksburg but we have to start to Black River to night at 4, distance 15 miles up & down hill all the way." Unsigned, but the original stamped transmittal cover is included. Thayer's phonetic spelling and loose grammar had been corrected. Light toning, else VG
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