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(Gettysburg) Union soldier's letter, from Henry Van Aernam, Surgeon in the 154th New York, 4pp, J...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
(Gettysburg) Union soldier's letter, from Henry Van Aernam, Surgeon in the 154th New York, 4pp, J...
(Gettysburg) Union soldier's letter, from Henry Van Aernam, Surgeon in the 154th New York, 4pp, July 30, 1863, 4to, Warrenton Junction, VA, to his wife, excellent content re the battle of Gettysburg, drawing a sketch of the battlefield on the second page. In small part, "...you ask me if I was in as much danger at Gettysburg as at Chancellorsville...part of the time I was where the minnie balls were plenty...the shells were frequent...five horses killed by shells right about the hospital...Our line of battle was in the shape of a horseshoe - with a rather sharper turn than a circle at the toe of the shoe which was (the toe) directly south of Gettysburg...The key of our position - the toe of the shoe, was on a height...on which was an old burial ground...'Evergreen Cemetery'...planted huge Batteries that defended the position...The cemetery occupied the highest point in the semi-circle...along the base of the mountains is a dense forest in which the rebel army were concealed from sight except when the battle was raging...on the 2nd and 3rd day, the great struggle was to break...Shells...fell thick about our hospital...it was a perfect shower...In the hollow of the shoe, 300 pieces of Reserve artillery was placed, which could be sent to any spot needed in 20 minutes, between the heels of the shoe were stationed as a reserve the 6th Corps...during the contest if our line was weakened at any point, some of these reserve troops were sent to their aid. The line of battle was well chosen and a strong one...The troops were handled like chess men in the hands of skillful layers...Our line of battle from heel to heel was about 6 miles in length - the Reb line being on the outside was consequently longer..." Couple of professionally repaired holes at margin. Moderate discoloration to letter, but all is easily read. $1,000-1,500