This is one of our favorite letters, it is written in ink and paints a beautiful picture… just like you were “really there”!  THIS IS THE FINEST CHAPLAINS LETTER THAT WE HAVE EVER OWNED OR SEEN!  It has been in our collection for over 20 years.  The letter is written “Near Cold Harbor, Va. June 11th, 1864.”  Chaplain Hyde is writing to his wife and so he signs it merely, “Your husband.”  Of course from the content, and the fact that it originally came from a grouping of Hyde’s letters, there is no question about who wrote it.  THE LETTER DESCRIBES ACTION AT THE BATTLE OF COLD HARBOR AND THE DETAILS SURROUNDING THE DEATH OF THE BRIGADE COMMANDER.

·         “About 4 o’clock the whole brigade was in motion towards Cold Harbor.  The roads were
very bad in consequence of rains.  The artillery got wind and we would move ten paces then
halt.  So we were till 12 o’clock getting nine miles, and covered with dirt.  We poked about

     and got a place to lie down, but it was full of mud and very smelly so I covered my head with
my blanket and shut out everything but sleep.  Capt. Chaddock is very lame having had the
misfortune to have his horse fall upon him…”

·         “Then we learned we were to go forward to Cold Harbor, but alas how little did we know
what awaited us.  It was a very warm day and the dust ground up by a thousand wheels and
the tramp of tens of thousands was very fine and suffocating, but we must march through it….
The dust filled everything.  Their clothes were of the color of Rebs... Soon we met the 4th Corps
of the forward army of the Potomac.  The 49th N.Y. was crossing our path and there was many
a glad greeting between fathers, sons, and brothers…”

·         “The men almost utterly exhausted by the fatigue of the march… We pass the Head Quarters
of the 6th Corps and arrive at those of the 5th.  I accidently saw there Thomas Hyde Lt. Col. 7th
Maine, Son of Uncle Lina.... Soon we reached the right of Genl. Grant’s line of advance.  Genl.
“Baldy” Smith, our Corps Commander, was ordered to put his Corps in to position.  Our brigade
touched the right of the 6th Corps.  A line of battle was formed in the edge of the woods such as
we rode through in Suffolk.” 

·         “The battle just then opened on our left.  Whomp Whomp went the cannon pouring forth incessant
death.  Whiz Whiz the bullets all about us though we could see no enemy… We were only a mile
from the scene of conflict & the roar of artillery, and the terrific volleys of musketry filled the air
with tumult.  Soon the wounded began to come in.  Those wounded in the arm or hand or slightly

     in the legs came in with a little help.  Others were brought on stretchers.  Everybody was busy…
Soon the numbers began to increase.  The 112th men came in thick & fast.  Poor Buffum called me
to pour water on his arm all crushed…”

·         “One said, ‘Have you seen the Col?’ ‘No’, I replied… And just then I saw men bringing up a stretcher
with the man I had known and loved so well.  I about reeled with faintness, but recovering myself I
went up.  His eyes were closed but one of the boys said, “Chaplain this is the Col.” He immediately
raised his eyes looking me in the face & grieved.  They sat the stretcher down.  He looked up again
& said in a fine voice, “Chaplain, I must die”  “Oh I hope not,” I replied.  “This is a mortal wound,”
he said and asked me to take his watch, his field glass & send them home.  Then again he said,
“Chaplain I must die.  Give my love to my wife.  Tell my friends & tell this world I died a brave man. 
I die at peace with all my fellow men & trust in peace with my God.”  Then he asked for the Surgeon,
who having been informed of his case had at that instant come to him.  He bore the painful
examination of his wound without flinching and said, “Is it mortal?”  “I fear it is,” said the Surgeon. 
“I know it is,” he replied… I bowed over him & repeated the words of Paul, “Thanks be to God who
giveth up the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  His response was loud and clear, “Amen.”
“Amen.””

·         “Soon the Surgeon in charge came to us & requested me to superintend the burying of those who
had died. …I found them scattered all over the field, and by nine o’clock they were all buried.  I then
after finding that an ambulance could not be procured to take the body of Col. Drake to White House,
sent for our little mule cart… It was somewhat hazardous but our dear Lord watched over me &
prospered me and, after great toil & anxiety, the body was started for Washington en route to
Westfield.”

·         “In regard to the battle …they came to an open field and just beyond the field was a belt of woods in
which the Rebs had their skirmishers.  The field they had to cross under heavy fire… Then they were
to charge those works in the face of a murderous fire, and in doing this we lost most of our men… The
woods were irregular so that as they advanced in some parts they were met by a most galling flank
fire… The Col. (McConihe) waving his sword & cheering.  Maj. Colvin of the 169th… with exultation
of the brave fellows pressed their way on, but a fatal bullet soon struck him and he fell.”

·         “Willie Laine had advanced beyond the main line as he saw some men fully back he called out & said,
“That’s not the way, there’s less danger in going forward then in falling back.”  Soon…a bullet struck
him through the heart and he fell dead.”

·         “…some men had got behind trees & were firing at the Rebs.  The Capt. came up & said, “Boys, you
won’t do anything that way.  Fix bayonets & charge.  I’ll lead you.”  They did so and just as he was
going over the Capt. fell heavily having been shot in the arm.  The bullet was all flattened out on the
bone but did not break it.  That night the regiment all lay in the rifle pits, and have been in them
ever since.”

·         “So great is the change here.  But blessed be God for his goodness.  I believe them men love me more
than ever.  As I went through the hospital last evening they frailly clapped their hands when they
saw me coming.  Poor fellows my heart aches over the sorrowing households that war has left
desolate.”

Add this letter to your collection and we are sure it will become a favorite!  An amazing 22 page letter… ever see one longer?!

#S75NY - Price $2,695

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