Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
A good war-date Union officer's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Captain Augustus Alonzo Hoit, Co. G, 8th Maine Vols. (later captain 34th USCT), Hilton Head, S. C., Nov. 11, 1861, in part: "…I have just got my tent pitched…we are encamped in a cotton field about one mile from the fort…our scouting parties are continually bringing in all sorts of things from a mule team down to a looking glass. We have beef…turkeys and chickens in abundance. Contrabands are too numerous to mention. The rebels took many of their slaves with them…upwards of two hundred of them escaped from their masters…many more of them would have come back but were shot down while making the attempt. Nov. 9. A part of our gunboats went to Beaufort in order to capture that place but found the city deserted by every white person except one man and the negroes were having a jolly time plundering the stores and dwellings. The rebels had a strong fort there, mounting…120 guns, which they saw fit to desert, taking care to ski the guns…they are making great preparations for dislodging us…we have force enough here to hold the place…our force at Beaufort however is not so strong and…may be compelled to retreat…Jeff Davis has given us nine days…to leave S. Carolina but we shall not take the hint…Albert was with Fremont and was one of his body guards. Jasper has joined one of the Ohio regiments…mother worries a great deal about me…direct my next…to Fortress Monroe…yours in love, Alonzo…". VG
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