5th New York Cavalry Letter Mentions Fighting Mosby

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Autograph Letter Signed, Marvin Wight, 12p. octavo, March 29, 1863, Camp of the 5th N.Y. Cavalry, Fairfax Court House, Va., with good conent mentioning Mosby's Raiders and skirmishing near Chantilly, in part: "…we are now camped in the open field near Fairfax town on the east side…our regt came on picket (in her turn) and as there had been an order for the Qr. Ms. Sergeant and Commissiary Sergeant to go out on picket (one at one time and the other the next) I had to harness up and turn out, 'by the way'…everything went off quit where we were…this was not the case at the reserve the pickets were driven in and the men at the reserve charged on the Rebs and drove them untill theycame to a Barricade which has been formed across the road by falling trees on each side. Behind here were the rebels concealed in ambush and they opened a murderous fire on our men killing 3 (three) and wounding several the first volley, our men broke and run following the example of one the majors in command who never stopped till he reached camp after our men broke the rebels charged on them and took 25 prisoners our men were rallied after a time by Major White and Capt. Hasbrook who aer Both good grit and the enemy were pursued until dark and then returning. This is the first time since the 5th NY came into the field that it has met with a repulse but this was all owing to the officers in command who did not show proper discretion and showed very much their lack of ability to command and also a proper amoutn of courage, the officers who were in command were Major White and Major Bacon. Bacon was formerly a Regimental adjutent and was promoted during the winter, he is the man who came into camp the other man (or) Maj. Is courageous enough but that is not all that is wanting to make an efficient officer…it commenced to rain…and made it almost impossible to keep a fire…But we had a plenty of good dry chesnut rails (the property of some hard labouring Virginian) and we managed to keep them burning…" VG.

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