Lot
629 
1862 Battle of Fredricksburg war letter. A wonderful & historic letter datelined "Camp near Falmouth, Va./Dec. 19th, 1862" with an eloquent description regarding the Battle of Fredericksburg, "Since writing to you before, we have changed camp - crossed the Rappahannock - fought a bloody battle, been most terribly repulsed and are once more camped in our old location. Somewhat fewer in numbers, tis true, yet rich in the experience of dangers and battles. I saw the whole battle on the left wing - saw the batteries perform and shatter the town with their most fearful tornado of shells - saw the pontoons thrown across the river while the sharpshooters plied their murderous calling at short range - and saw with heart and hope elate the first rush of our gallant Army across the bridge into the demolished and burning City. I saw too the grand battle of the next day when our lines surged to and fro amid the storms of shot and shell and broke themselves into disordered and defeated fragments against the strong batteries of the entrenched rebels. The fury of the combat was terrible - and as usual our men fought uncovered against the rebels in their earthworks and behind their stonewall. Tylers Brigade charged the stonewall but were repulsed with terrible slaughter being subject to a terrible crossfire from the batteries in addition to the bursts of musketry which at less than twenty paces cut down their ranks.", the letter continues, "To say that we were whipped in the late battle would convey a very feeble idea of the magnitude of our diaster. We were slaughtered.", plus much, much more, the letter is severed horizontally along the fold (which may have been done be sender) & is accompanied by a cover with the imprint "Commissary Department/Tyler's Brigade", which appear to be from the same correspondence, but not belonging to the letter, Fine, a wonderful item (the letter has been fully transcribed). Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $650