1864 UNION ARTILLERY OFFICER’S LETTER

$75.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 205-166

Dated “Point Riverside, KY / Feby 14, 1864.” 6 pp., in ink, 8 x 5”. Exhibits fold-marks, else VG plus, and entirely legible. This is a lengthy “Valentine” letter from an unidentified union artillery officer first-named “Byron,” to “My Darling Hattie.” He opens with Valentine sentiments & then writes an extremely long intriguing account of his ordeal in attempting to get supplies for his Battery in posted East Tennessee [Knoxville] area. As follows:

“You doubtless do not know where Point Burnside is and indeed I did not until I had examined the military map at Head Qrs today. I find that it is situated at the mouth of the South Fork which empties into the Cumberland River some four hundred & fifty miles from its mouth. It is a the head of Steamboat navigation &being on the direct road to Knoxville {TN} is being made a very important & extensive military depot for Commissary & Qr Masters stores. In fact every material necessary for the prosecution of an extensive war is being brought here to be stored until wanted. Hard bread & bacon are here in sufficient quantities to supply troops passing through here. For animals there is some grain but no hay at all==steamboats arrive everyday and soon there will be a large supply of food on hand. The road from Camp Nelson to this place a distance of (75miles) is a portion of the way very bad & here to Knoxville (105) miles still worse.

We met Gen. Sturgis in our way here & he said that the road from this Point-to-Knoxville was now utterly impassable for artillery & would be very difficult for Cavalry or Infantry to go through now. But I am bound not to stay here and am going to try and get away on Tuesday without I receive an imperative order to remain here for a time—I think by taking eight days rations for the men [three of which they must carry themselves] that I can get teams enough to draw the balance—I have stood the trip so far well & if the men could stand it to walk could go through in five days but they seem to tire out easily—I have had to leave them all along the road –Today sent four to the Hospital—Out of about three hundred left.

By the time that I get to Knoxville two hundred will be all that we can muster & perhaps less.

I saw a man yesterday that came through last week. He had seen my Battery. Says that they have had to turn over all the horses and are now stationed in a fort outside Knoxville. There is no forage there at all & all the horses of both cavalry & artillery are being sent back—an officer from there told me that no officer under a Brigadier General was allowed a horse to ride. By the time that I get there I shall get used to it and will not mind going on foot.

Government must make some different arrangements in order to get supplies there for the army soon or East Tennessee will have to be evacuated.”

Fine soldier letter, whose author’s identity may be determined by further research into Union batteries posted in the Knoxville area in February 1864, with an officer first-named “Byron”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About 1864 UNION ARTILLERY OFFICER’S LETTER

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

VERY SCARCE SWAN CONTRACT VIRGINIA MILITIA REGIMENTALLY MARKED MUSKET, CIRCA 1799: COMPANY C, 54th REGIMENT, NORFOLK BOROUGH

This musket follows the general lines of a British Short Land Pattern musket, but bears no British maker, ordnance, or proof marks. The lock is a two-screw lock with gooseneck hammer, rounded pan and no external bridle. The lockplate is stamped with… (1000-0255). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

28
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram