[ Autographs ] HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE LETTER Confederate soldier's letter, 4pp. folio, Richmond, July 19, 1862, in which Robert H. Gaston, Co. H., 1st Texas Infantry, of the famous Hood's Brigade, writes a lengthy letter about the Seven Day's battles, including the battle of Gaine's Mill. In small part: "...I have written our losses on the 27th...Doherty and Lee were killed by a bombshell before we gotwithin a 1/2 /mile of the battlefield. Brown Hanks fell within 70 yards of the enemy's breastworks, a minie ball striking him just belowthe nose. He died immediately. Foster fell here also, a ball striking him in the neck. We drove the enemy from his breastworks which were asformidable as I ever saw...slept on the battlefield within 300 yards of the Yankee Lines...the Yankees left their blankets and knapsacks onthe field and we soon supplied ourselves with enough of those to sleepvery comfortably. Every time we woke up we could hear the shrieks of the wounded and dying, some calling for their regiments, others for their friends and relatives...Gen. Hood made us a little speech, though he is a better soldier than a speaker...Came to McClellan's headquarters...a scene of waste and destruction...they left one camp here with 2200 sick and wounded...this was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought and nothing gained by it...". Much more. Fully transcribed, cleary written, and very good.