Auction details |
167. CSA CAVALRYMAN LETTER GROUP ON THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG A very rare collection of three war-date pencil inscribed letters, totaling 10pp. on 4to. letter sheets, written by Pvt. John Nathaniel Peed, Co. I, 9th Virginia Cavalry, W.H.F. Lee's Brigade Army of Northern Virginia, concerning his regiments exploits during the battle of Gettysburg, and of its activities while retreating back to Virginia, in part: "...[Williamsport, Md., July 11, 1863]...we are now camped in Maryland...we has seen a very hard time...we have had 6 men wounded...& 3 captured [he adds the names of all those wounded and captured]...a grape shot struck Jimmy in the back but did not hurt him...we have had a hard fight of the Yankees...their loss was 42000 killed, wounded, & missing. Ours about 15,000...the fighting was dreadful. Both sides fought well...blunders will get the upper hand of them yet. Captain Hungerford, Lieut. Roberson of the Westmoreland company were killed also Dick Washington...I walked from Staunton to Winchester 92 miles in 4 days...it looked to kill me. I was a week carrying my...2 blankets...&...clothes...I got an old artillery horse...Gen. Thurman don't say a word...somebody stole my oil cloth coat...[and] splendid saddle...it was valued at 70 dollars...[Smithfield, Va., July 18]...our company fell back without loss...I was...broken down from the walk from Staunton to Winchester...then riding an old poor horse bare back from there to Md...the 15th Regt is enjoying themselves now with nothing [to do] but to frolick about...the Confederacy is on her last leg...the M[arylan]d trip...was a failure like it was last year. It will never do for our army to try to invade...they have many more men...the minister said the darkest hour is just before day...I hope day is breaking...[Camp near Thornton River, Culpeper, Va., July 31]...I had not the chance to write while in Maryland & Pennsylvania...we were not in camp a day while...fighting or scouting...have [you] heard of the capture of Capt. Billingsly...I should have been captured too if I hadn't riding a fleet horse. The thirteenth Reg was ordered to charge the Yankees at Hanover but refused...the[y]...was ordered to clear the road & let the ninth come. She charged and the Yankees broke & fled. Our Regiment pursuing them through town to the main body. The enemy flanked us...we had to fall back & then they returned us the same joke. I was cut off in town & had to run my horse two miles to get out. The Yankees got within 20 steps of me but did not recognize me. I passed under three Federal flags in town. I would [have] given most anything to have gotten one but times was too hot...I got some 25 or 30 yard of calico from Pennsylvania...there is enough for a dress...I could have gotten anything I wanted...Jimmy is with the Regiment...he has improved a good deal since he got back from the Hospital...I heard from Billy Minor...he was well but barefooted...there is a talk of our coming down to relieve the Fifteenth...the citizens in Stafford...[would] rather have Yankees then the Fifteenth...". The 9th Virginia Cavalry sustained very heavy casualties during the Gettysburg Campaign. Enlisting as a bugler in 1863, Peed served faithfully throughout the remainder of the war, and surrendered with Lee at Appomattox in 1865. Minor spotting, and toning with some fold separations, else very good.$2,000-3,000
ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images: 
View Alexander Autographs, Inc. next auction.Similar lots up for auction |
486359
