Lot 271 email save

Outstanding Account of the Battle of Antietam

Sign In to see what this sold for

Autograph letter signed, Amos B. Hawley, Company D., VT 5th Infantry, 4pp., slightly light, signed "Amos." In this letter written to his wife, Hawley provides an extraordinary detailed eye witness account of the battle of Antietam. After advising on family business, Hawley begins his account, in part, "We have had another great battle and have succeeded in drawing the rebels out of Maryland. The fight commenced on the 16th. Our brigade arrived on the field about noon of the 17th where the fight was raging the hottest. On our way, we crossed a hill where we had a view of the battle field. It was the most magnificent sight I ever saw-the long lines of the Union Army extending across the valley for 5 miles. The Union Army engaged in the bloodiest fight this country ever saw. The continuous rattle of muskets, the roar of artillery, and the bursting of shell with all the bravery of our troops under a deadly fire was the most sublime and magnificent sight I ever beheld. We marched on and soon reached the right of our lines out of harm's way, but within 100 yards of the field where we rested for a few moments. Here I saw the 20th NY make a charge which was a splendid sight, swinging into line as coolly as though on dress parade and advancing to the charge with lines as straight as an arrow right up to the Rebel lines and delivering their fire and using the bayonet with terrible execution. Soon an order came for us to take and hold a position to the right of the center. In doing this, we had to march for 1-1/2 miles under fire from their artillery, but on we went. Not a man faltered, and we reached the position without loss where we laid the rest of the day and night and next day under their fire. In the meantime, we had established a hospital in the rear of the brigade but within 50 yds. of the field and were soon engaged dressing wounded. But one was wounded in our regiment. Notwithstanding, hundreds of shell were sent into their midst. On the 17th the Rebs sent in a flag of truce to bury their dead, but it proved that they took advantage of it to get their army out of Maryland. At any rate, the next morning we found they had skedaddled. I went out on the field in the morning and saw sights which I never wish to see again. In a ditch about 5 ft. wide, the dead Rebels lay as thick as they could lay, wounded in every conceivable shape. Some who were killed instantly were in the position that they were when hit. One I saw was sighting his gun when hit and died in that position, holding the gun up to his face and apparently ready to pull it off. Another, who had crawled over the fence on his hands and knees was riddled with bullets. In that ditch lay, I should judge, 1500 dead Rebels, among them a good many officers, and in the field beyond, the ground was strewn with them around a place where one of their guns were stationed. I counted 20 of their cannoniers dead with plenty of dead horses besides. It was a horrible sickening sight. The Battle of Sharpsburg will long be remembered as one of the decisive battles of this war!"

View Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction