September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union officer's Autograph Letter Signed by Charles Warren, 11th Connecticut, who was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the 2nd Connecticut Infantry before mustering into the 11th Connecticut as a sergeant in October 1861. He would rise to lieutenant colonel of that unit before being mustered out in December 1865. This letter is 4pp. quarto, datelined from Newbern, North Carolina, April 7, 1862, and reads in part: "...We left Hatteras I think on the 26th of Feb & landed on Roanoke Island the first of March & encamped in a corn field in front of a house & a very pleasant place it was. I visited the battlefield on the Island & had some very interesting chats with some of the natives, who gave me some very interesting accounts of the Island & its defenses & the rebel troops that were encamped there. We took considerable pains to ornament our camps as it was reported that we were to stay here some time, but our time on the Island was destined to be short...Early in the morning [the 12th] the signals were up for starting & the fleet moved down Pamlico Sound headed by the gunboats...Along in the afternoon, fires were seen on the main bank and which we supposed were signal fires as they appeared at intervals all along the coast...We sailed up the Neuse River as far as Slocums Creek & anchored for the night. Orders were recv'd to have the guns inspected...Orders were also given that in landing, strict silence would be insisted on among the men....It took a good part of the day to land all the troops as we had to go ashore in light-draft boats....Those that landed in the morning pushed on up the bank of the river toward Newbern. As we stood in line, an aid came galloping up & sings out 'They have evacuated the first battery & our men hold the rail road.' Of course there was considerable cheering at this. We took up our line of march...marched until about 10 o'clock [PM] and halted for the night, having occupied the deserted earthworks and rail road...We continued our march until we overtook the regiment ahead of us & halted. I lay down on the ground & dropped asleep...A part of the 11th Reg. was detailed to draw some 12 lb howitzers & company 'B' was one of the companies. Well, on we went in the mud, drawing the cannon up towards the battery that was reported not far ahead...Gen. Burnside helped us early in the morning [the 14th] going to the front with a smile on this countenance. Firing was now heard on our left by the infantry, and soon a shell came whizzing through the woods, followed by another & another when it became obvious that the battery was not far ahead. We pushed on up towards the firing and soon bullets began to whistle about our ears, which was not very pleasant, I assure you. One poor fellow was shot in the forehead a few feet from me while a hold of the rope of the cannon. The wounded were now being brought to the rear and officers were hurrying to & fro to bring up the troops & cannon and the excitement was increasing, but the boys kept on with the cannon & did not flinch at all as I could see. Gen. Burnside helped us again, going to the rear and says 'Hurry up those pieces, boys, for they will be needed.' The shot & shell were now flying thick around us, although we could not see the enemy on account of the woods & smoke, but in a short time we came out into the cleared space to within about 35 rods of the enemy guns & they whirled them around under a galling fire & wonder we were not cut to pieces more than we were. We filed a little to the right of the road that leads to the battery & were ordered to lie down. A regiment was on our right lying flat on the ground, which we found was the 24th Mass which you are somewhat acquainted with. The fire of the artillery & infantry was truly terrific on both sides until about 11 oclock when they see our men had outflanked them & were preparing to charge when they began to give way & we rushed of the battery with bayonets fixed, yelling like savages. The regiments were drawn up in line in the battery & Gen. Burnside coming up close, a cheer rent the air. The boys love the Gen. & would fight for him until the last. We could not prevent tears from coming into his eyes to see the New England boys in the battery as he rode up. It was a sickening sight that met us, dead horses, mangled men, broken cannons, knapsacks & guns were slung in every direction. I shall never forget that sight, never, never. It is the sad side of a victory & no one knows anything about it until they see it as it is. The enemy was put immediately on the march & we came on to the rail road at Wood's brick yard, & just the other side were rifle pits which were captured at the point of the bayonet without much fuss..." More. Fine condition.
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