LOT #40091 |
Sold on Dec 8, 2025 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Civil War Soldier's Letter with "Stonewall" Jackson Troop's Movement by Erastus Hunt of the 7th Indiana Volunteers.. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Dec 8, 2025 for:
$625.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
Civil War Soldier's Letter with "Stonewall" Jackson Troop's Movement by Erastus Hunt of the 7th Indiana Volunteers.Four pages of a bifolium written in pencil, 4 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches, Jackson's Creek, Virginia; January 12, [1862]. Addressed to Enos Hadley in Plainfield, Indiana, Hunt responds to reports that his regiment had been "cut all to pieces" in a major battle with Confederate Generals Stonewall Jackson and Joseph Johnston. In actuality, the 7th Indiana had seen only minor skirmishes in the early months of 1862, but the Union Army's anxiety remained high as Jackson prepared his men for the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The letter reads, in part:
"I suppose you have heard the reports of this Regiment being cut all to pieces which is untrue but not by our good management but owing to the cowardice of the enemy for we had been left alone where the enemy was nearly all around us, the remng forces being with drawn then we were the most advance troops & no other troops there but the 7th & 2 companies of the Maryland home brigade & 2 companies of Cavalry & it was reported that Jackson & Johnson were both advancing on us with 40,000 each we were left to hold them back as much as we could & retreat to this place but it was thought that they were trying to surround us & we were ordered to fall back..."
Hunt also describes local secessionist sentiment in Springfield, writing that officers had to stop the soldiers from burning the town when they departed:
"The report is this morning that the Rebble Cavalry is in Springfield they say they were there yesterday & I will not doubt it for the citizens were all sesh & they say there was a man started to Winchester to report to the Rebbles in a short time after we left, the boys are down on our officers because they would not let them fire the town before we left & they had to keep a close watch to keep them from firing it...
He concludes with an account that likely explains the false battle reports:
"I suppose the report is common that the 7th was attact & cut up badly with a great many taken prisoners. I suppose the report started from the attack that was made on our cavalry they were out scouting & few days ago & was surrounded by infantry but they cut their way out loosing only two men it is unknown how many they killed & they have got both their men back both wounded..."
With address panel only of original transmittal cover.
Condition: Somewhat toned with smoothed folds and a few stray creases; scattered soiling throughout. Closed tear measuring approximately 1/2 inch at the top edge. Small separations at the integral fold, not affecting text. Moderate wear to the edges of the address panel, with some text cut off at the right edge.
Auction Info
2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6325 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
8th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 113
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms