Museum Quality Americana
An exciting 5 full page letter from Corporal Nathan Larkin Co. K, 26th PA. Infantry. Writing on the 4th of July in 1862, Larkin gives excellent details about the heart ships that the 26th have gone through in battle and in living conditions. Here are a few excerpts:
· “They in a half hour formed in battle against us and there was a heavy battle ensued, and a loss upon both sides was the result. The battle lasted an hour or so.”
· “The Rebels, having found us out, opened fired upon us and lost in heavy battle until nine at night – result was the whipping of the Rebels badly. About daylight in the morning, we fell back some two or three miles in a large field – and under the fire of our gun boats. Here we had hardly reached before the enemy again was upon us. They attacked us three or four times in course of the day but where each time replaced with much loss. The whole of our retreating army being concentrated on this field – including artillery and provision train – the lost be clean for nearly a mile was on the most magnificent sights that I ever saw. You could see Division after Division moving in mass taking different position on the field.”
· “But as dawn came of evening, our artillery – battery after battery – took position in front of the enemy – and kept up an incessant firing until long after dark and I judge there was not a man left alive within range of them for two miles. I never heard such roaring of cannon since I have been in service. The next day we retreated some ten miles, it raining in torrents, causing the roads to be knee deep in short time, and having lost nearly everything we had in battles, as I’ve been in front of the enemy every battle since we left Sunday morning…”
· “Today is Fourth of July… the bands are playing the national anthem, and many salutes have been fired trying to make a rejoicing day of it.”
· “It’s distressing in the extreme to see these thousands of men; many are mud from head to foot. Prostrate almost by exposure they lay most any place they can get room. Almost famished with hunger, it’s an awful sight I can assure you. Thousands are scarcely able to walk, many with wounds in every part of the body.”
Letter is in excellent condition, written in dark ink… perfect for the Pennsylvania collector!
#L11 – Price $
Transcript:
Friday afternoon/ camped near Trunkey Point
4th of July, 1862/ Carolina County, Virginia
Dear Father,
I embrace this first chance of penning you a few lines. We passed through many changes, many hardships, many dangers since this week has set in. We have been in a battle nearly every day. To give you a minute description of past days would be too great an undertaking, yet I shall endeavor to give you a short account of past events. On last Sunday morning we retreated from Seven Pines about a half mile. Scarcely had we reached that distance and had formed a line of battle then the enemy had taken possession of our entrenchments. They in a half hour formed in battle against us and there was a heavy battle ensued, and a loss upon both sides was the result. The battle lasted an hour or so. We then retreated in the afternoon some five miles before the Williamsburg road and then stopped for the night. That is the direction of James River. That night things was pretty quiet. Monday we lay in same place until three o’clock afternoon. The Rebels, having found us out, opened fired upon us and lost in heavy battle until nine at night - result was the whipping of the Rebels badly. About daylight in the morning, we fell back some two or three miles in a large field - and under the fire of our gun boats. Here we had hardly reached before the enemy again was upon us. They attacked us three or four times in course of the day but where each time replaced with much loss. The whole of our retreating army being concentrated on this field - including artillery and provision train - the lot be clean for nearly a mile was on the most magnificent sights that I ever saw. You could see Division after Division moving in mass taking different position on the field. As I say, this day they attacked us some three or four times but did not give us much concern. But as dawn came of evening, our artillery - battery after battery - took position in front of the enemy - and kept up an incessant firing until long after dark and I judge there was not a man left alive within range of them for two miles. I never heard such roaring of cannon since I have been in service. The next day we retreated some ten miles, it raining in torrents, causing the roads to be knee deep in short time, and having lost nearly everything we had in battles, as I’ve been in front of the enemy every battle since we left Sunday morning, and as we covered the retreat as a matter of course was in warm places. Yesterday (Thursday) they fired some shell right amongst us, but the gun boats and a small squad of Infantry soon captured their battery and a large number of prisoners. Today is Fourth of July - and after moving back and forwards for several hours, we pitched our tents in company streets in an open lot. The bands are playing the national anthem, and many salutes have been fired trying to make a rejoicing day of it. I cannot express myself at all as I should like. I have so much to say. We are now near Trunkey Point on James River, Caroline County, VA. We have been in this neighborhood for the last forty-eight hours in line of battle most of the time. The enemy must be at a distance today judging from the noise now made. It’s distressing in the extreme to see these thousands of men; many are mud from head to foot. Prostrate almost by exposure they lay most any place they can get room. Almost famished with hunger, it’s an awful sight I can assure you. Thousands are scarcely able to walk, many with wounds in every part of the body. It’s not a demoralized army, but it’s nearly prostrated with exposure etc., etc. We have not had an hour of quietness since Sunday morning at 2 o’clock. No one can conceive what we have endured. It’s beyond description. Officers have been on a par with the privates, they having lost all their baggage - that is those belong to this regiment.
This Retreating has been done for to speedy terminate this war, I suppose from all accounts. It’s reported here that Shields has arrived with fresh troops and is going to relieve us a little. I cannot tell you any further. The men have been greatly disheartened by the late movement. They think that they are whipped. Officers greatly censor McClellan in this act. Truly I never saw such a change in the men. I honestly believe that now one half the army is able for service that one week ago was in front of Richmond. I just tell you the truth as I find it, but to write to others, I must hold up for my country and make the despondent picture as glaring as I can. None of our company was killed, but we have several wounded. James Welsh and Thomas Senior of Ridley shot by musketry. James Bell who used to work for John Hinkson shot by musket, also Andy Phillips of Chester, then George Bobb, and John Boylan of Phila. They are none serious, most of them are on their way home.
I am happy to say that I have been on the field, endured every exposure with the rest, and am today in a perfect state of health.
The Chaplin, Major, Lieut. Col. all sick. I was sent for to take charge of the mail - a piece of canvas six foot square laid across a pole. My cartage box, gun, and an empty haversack and stomach graces my department with a bag hung to a pole for to receive the letters in an open field is the picture your son now presents to you. We receive a mail today, the first for a week. They were mailed July 1st. I find a paper from Harry and a letter from Mary Campbell, and none from you. Tell Mary Campbell if you see her I will answer it at the earliest opportunity - which our future destiny we cannot say. Hope all will move on for the best. Jerry Stevenson’s son was killed. They are aware of it, no doubt.
Lend me some postage stamps immediately if none on the way.
Have you received the ten dollars sent in Charles’ letter?
My kind regards to all. Write soon a long letter and hope that the Almighty in the meantime protects me from danger.
Direct as before inserting near James River.
I remain your Son,
Copl N.L.
(Corporal Nathaniel Larkin)
To John Larkin Jr.
