- 82
Edwin S. Greeley
Estimate
6,000 - 10,000 USD
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Description
- Autograph Manuscript Signed, to Brigadier General Horace J. Morse. “Head Quarters 10th Infantry Conn. Vols. / Near Richmond Va.,” May 10, 1865. 13 pp. small folio, in ink on lined paper; minor smudging to first leaf.
- Paper, Ink
“UNION AND REBEL SOLDIERS WERE FOUND DEAD IN EACH OTHER’S GRASP…”
"...The regiment arrived at a distance of four hundred yards from the works, the troops pushed on without a halt under one of the most terrific fires of musketry and artillery ever witnessed. Many of our brave men went down, but the fort was reached without faltering. Lt. Col. Goodyear fell severely wounded in the face and shoulder … although wounded early in the engagement, he would not allow himself to be carried to the rear, but remained where he fell until the fort was surrendered. The blue flag of Connecticut was the first on the parapet, and a hand to hand fight, upon the parapet, for the possession of the fort, lasting from twenty-five to thirty minutes … our line entirely enclosed the fort. But the garrison, although surrounded, refused to surrender and continued to defend the work, while from Fort Baldwin a destructive fire was poured in upon the backs of such of our men..the fort was at last surrendered. The record of modern warfare rarely shows a more desperate encounter than upon the parapet of Fort Gregg. Union and Rebel soldiers were found dead in each other's grasp, thirteen Rebels were found inside the Fort killed by bayonet thrusts, and scores were wounded by the same weapon. The new state colors were pierced by 23 bullets, while the staff was struck three times..."
On March 30, Sheridan’s cavalry and units from several federal infantry corps began to skirmish with Confederates under George Pickett at Hatcher’s Run near the crossroads of Five Forks, which controlled the Southside Railroad and the Confederate supply line. On April 1, Sheridan broke through, mauling Pickett’s division at Five Forks. Lee rushed reinforcements to his west, and on April 2, General George Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, ordered full-scale frontal assaults on the weakened Confederate works at Petersburg. Lee decided to fall out of Petersburg that night, in hopes that a speedy move to the southwest might bring him into a junction with Joseph Johnston’s army in North Carolina. He sent word to President Davis that he should prepare to evacuate the Confederate government from Richmond. On April 3, the Union Army entered the smoldering Confederate capital. The combination of the empty stomachs and depressed spirits of Lee’s proud soldiers, and the determined pursuit of Sheridan’s cavalrymen, brought the encirclement and surrender of Lee to Grant on April 9.
A FINELY DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE STORMING OF PETERSBURG.
"...The regiment arrived at a distance of four hundred yards from the works, the troops pushed on without a halt under one of the most terrific fires of musketry and artillery ever witnessed. Many of our brave men went down, but the fort was reached without faltering. Lt. Col. Goodyear fell severely wounded in the face and shoulder … although wounded early in the engagement, he would not allow himself to be carried to the rear, but remained where he fell until the fort was surrendered. The blue flag of Connecticut was the first on the parapet, and a hand to hand fight, upon the parapet, for the possession of the fort, lasting from twenty-five to thirty minutes … our line entirely enclosed the fort. But the garrison, although surrounded, refused to surrender and continued to defend the work, while from Fort Baldwin a destructive fire was poured in upon the backs of such of our men..the fort was at last surrendered. The record of modern warfare rarely shows a more desperate encounter than upon the parapet of Fort Gregg. Union and Rebel soldiers were found dead in each other's grasp, thirteen Rebels were found inside the Fort killed by bayonet thrusts, and scores were wounded by the same weapon. The new state colors were pierced by 23 bullets, while the staff was struck three times..."
On March 30, Sheridan’s cavalry and units from several federal infantry corps began to skirmish with Confederates under George Pickett at Hatcher’s Run near the crossroads of Five Forks, which controlled the Southside Railroad and the Confederate supply line. On April 1, Sheridan broke through, mauling Pickett’s division at Five Forks. Lee rushed reinforcements to his west, and on April 2, General George Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, ordered full-scale frontal assaults on the weakened Confederate works at Petersburg. Lee decided to fall out of Petersburg that night, in hopes that a speedy move to the southwest might bring him into a junction with Joseph Johnston’s army in North Carolina. He sent word to President Davis that he should prepare to evacuate the Confederate government from Richmond. On April 3, the Union Army entered the smoldering Confederate capital. The combination of the empty stomachs and depressed spirits of Lee’s proud soldiers, and the determined pursuit of Sheridan’s cavalrymen, brought the encirclement and surrender of Lee to Grant on April 9.
A FINELY DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE STORMING OF PETERSBURG.