MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
Pvt. William H. Callister, Co. D of the famous 124th New York “Orange Blossoms” writes a 4 page letter in ink dated May 10, 1863. The letter comes with a fine condition cover addressed to a friend in “Orange County” New York. The following month Callister would be wounded in action at Beverly Ford, Virginia (June 9, 1863).
· “…we had a hot day last Sunday. We were in one of the hottest battles of the war and the
way our regiment fought was no disgrace to Orange County.”
· “…the Rebels made a movement on our flank. Sickles’ old veteran brigade was sent to meet
them, but they broke and ran, and then our brigade, the smallest in the corps, was ordered
out. It consisted of the 86th N. York, the 122d Pennsylvania, and the 124th N. York. But in
we went, and at it we went, and the men behaved well, and so did the officers. We did not
give an inch until ordered to do so by our officers…”
· “We fell back so as to give the 122d Pa. a chance to try themselves. But they laid flat on the
ground and didn’t fire a shot until one of our officers went and told them to fire. And then
they fired one or two rounds, and left us and the 86th N. York to take care of ourselves.”
· “We retreated over a small opening, and then made a stand, and the Rebels did not come out
and show themselves, but began to fall back. And being out of ammunition, for we had fired
our 60 rounds, we were ordered off, and the enemy had possession of our earthworks. But
we formed again with some others and made a charge… recaptured our works, killing some
and taking some prisoners. Then, doing that, we were done. We fell back and supported
Meagher’s Irish Brigade while they made a charge. The Reb shelling us all the while at a
fearful. And then we fell back to our former position, and thus ended one of the fiercest
struggles of the war. Antietam did not compare with it…”
An excellent battle letter from one of the most colorful units in the Union army!
#L100 – Price $795 Transcription: Dear Friend: I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am William H. Callister Cover: Mr. James H. Young Oxford Depot Orange County New York
May 10th/63, Camp near Stonemans’ Switch, Virginia.
Co. D, 124th Regmt. N. York Vols.
well, and truly hope this may find you enjoying the same great blessing. The weather
is very warm here today, but we have had a long storm and I think rather cold for this
season of the year and this climate. But we had a hot day last Sunday. We were in one
of the hottest battles of the war and the way our regiment fought was no disgrace to
Orange County. We had been run around through the woods all Saturday afternoon
looking for the Rebels, and then we laid on picket all night on Saturday. And then
Sunday morning we were ordered up to support a battery without having our breakfast,
and no supper the night before. After supporting the battery a while, the Rebels made
a movement on our flank. Sickles’ old veteran brigade was sent to meet them, but they
broke and ran, and then our brigade, the smallest in the corps, was ordered out. It
consisted of the 86th N. York, the 122d Pennsylvania, and the 124th N. York. But in we
went, and at it we went, and the men behaved well, and so did the officers. We did not
give an inch until ordered to do so by our officers, and then we did it very slowly, and in
good order, fighting all the while. We fell back so as to give the 122d Pa. a chance to try
themselves. But they laid flat on the ground and didn’t fire a shot until one of our officers
went and told them to fire. And then they fired one or two rounds, and left us and the 86th
N. York to take care of ourselves. We retreated over a small opening, and then made a
stand, and the Rebels did not come out and show themselves, but began to fall back. And
being out of ammunition, for we had fired our 60 rounds, we were ordered off, and the
enemy had possession of our earthworks. But we formed again with some others and
made a charge… recaptured our works, killing some and taking some prisoners. Then,
doing that, we were done. We fell back and supported Meagher’s Irish Brigade while
they made a charge. The Reb shelling us all the while at a fearful. And then we fell back
to our former position, and thus ended one of the fiercest struggles of the war. Antietam
did not compare with it, and now I must close for this time. With my best, respects to
you and family, I remain as ever your friend,
