2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Pair of Autograph Letters Signed by George Hood, a rubber goods salesman from Chelsea, Massachusetts, includes: ALS, 5-1/2p. quarto, July 22, 1861, Washington, with cover, in part: “...Lieut. A.S. Martin of Chelsea Co. came into Willards having just come from the battle of Bulls Run. He reported...an account of the battle and the names of dead & wounded...I found a note from Frank B. Fay, who had arrived at 6...he had letters from Sen. Sumner to get passes....We then started to hunt up the Chelsea wounded. In the search we found some 60 Mass. boys of whom 9 were from Chelsea...They had walked in from the camp some 4 miles and were tired out...Got them discharged at Gen. Mansfield office...obtained board for them at public house. Frank B. Fay paid their bills...we both started for the Alexandria Hospital. There we found the 4 Chelsea boys who were able to be moved...They have excellent care...Some of the troops were then just arriving from the battle and give the mose terribel accounts that can be imagined. They encountered marked batteries of the rebels which were stationed for miles in the form of a V the apex being in front of the center of our column. They cut up our soldiers terribly. The fire zouaves have come in to Washington with only 150 (original 1000 men) the balance being shot to fragments....our troops were whipped with an awful slaughter and retreated many to Washington...Men & women were evacuating the city and are paying largely to get out. Reports are...that Washington will be shelled tonight, then there will be a rising at Baltimore, and burn the bridges and cut off all troops ariving from the North...the Government have telegraphed ...for 10,000 men and to NY & Phil for as many more...Crowell has recovered the body of his brother Philander Crowell, and will probably start for hom tomorrow...The rebels & traitors have made a stand which we have been fighting, and is almost impregnable. But our men fought like tigers, and went up to the very mouths of cannons, over dead bodies and through streams of blood, with men falling dead at their side by every step. The rebels would only fight behind their embankments, discharging their pieces over the bank, whenever they came out it was only for some most barbarous deed. They fired whole charges of artillery with grape & cannister, on those who were carrying away the wounded, and if a man fell near them they would rush out and plunge their bayonet through him a dozen times with a savage delight...” Much more...plus; ALS, 2p. quarto, July 26, 1861, Washington, in part: “...We got in to see the Rebel prisoners, which is the greatest thing I have seen, and found them Secession still, and very saucy. I would hang the fellows. There are some 46 in all, and we went into their rooms and talked as much as we pleased. Some of them would get awful mad...” Both Fine. (4 items)
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