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Eppa Hunton and John Wainwright

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Eppa Hunton and John Wainwright

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Auction Date:2014 Apr 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “John Wainwright, late Col. 97th Pa. Vols.,” three lightly-lined pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 8.5, March 15, 1879, with the response, signed “Eppa Hunton,” penned on the reverse of the final page. Wainwright’s letter, in part: “In August or September 1864 while in command of the picket line in front of the union forces at Bermuda Hundred Va. I rescued a confederate officer who had been wounded in a charge on our lines on the previous night, and left on the field between the picket lines of the opposing forces…After dark…I crawled out and secured him, after carrying him to the rear of my line of pickets I made an effort to discover the character of his wounds, but was unable to do so on account of the darkness and the delirious condition of his mind…I saw him delivered to the surgeons at the field hospital in the rear of our lines, expecting to inquire further about him the next day but was ordered on to the north of the James before morning and had no opportunity of knowing anything further of him since. If he survived I would take great pleasure in hearing from him and if possible making his acquaintance. Genl Wm Mahone tells me that Gen Picketts Division occupied that front at the time I speak of and that you were connected with his command. Can you give me the information I ask? Who were your regimental commanders at that time? Who were the other Brigade commanders then?”

Hunton replies with a list of the brigades that made up General Pickett’s Division at the time, continuing, “I recollect no such incident as you described. I feel very much gratified at the kindness shown by you to one of our soldiers and the interest you still take in him.” Intersecting folds with a few tape-repaired separations to edges, otherwise fine condition.

On August 25 of 1864, the 38th Virginia advanced on the picket line at Bermuda Hundred, carrying out a quick but bloody attack. The following morning, Union Colonel John Wainwright spotted a wounded rebel soldier on the field. Risking his own life, he brought the man to safety before leaving him behind the following day. In this extraordinary letter, written fifteen years later, Wainwright is still hoping to ascertain the identity and fate of the poor soldier. Despite Hunton’s inability to name him, Wainwright later discovered that the man was the 38th’s Captain Richard J. Joyce, who died from his wounds suffered that day. This touching account of one soldier’s courage and compassion illustrates the agony suffered by those men left lying wounded on the battlefield, and offers a rare glimpse of the unexpected kindness shown by an enemy.