190. BATTLE OF THE CRATER'S WHITE OFFICER P.O.W. LETTER A great POW letter, 6pp. folio, written in ink by 2nd Lt. George H. Wing, Co. L, 14th New York Heavy Artillery, Glens falls, [N. Y.], July 19, 1865 to an invalid comrade of the 118th New York concerning his captured and confinement at the battle of the Crater, and of being accused of leading black troops at that battle. In small part: "...I was sorry to hear that you are still suffering from your severe wounds rec'd on the...16th day of May 1864...I was more fortunate than you...I returned home with whole limbs although my constitution was somewhat broken by the exposure and hard usage I rec'd while a prisoner...after I left the 118th Regt. I joined the 14th Regt. N. Y. H. Artillery. We were heavy's...that is what the infantry boys used to call us...with our siege guns caliber 57...we were ordered to report to Genl. Burnside then Comd'g the 9th A. C....previous to joining the Army of the Potomac...in front of Petersburg...we fought two hard battles...the first...was on the 17th day of June...our loss was very heavy in enlisted men, also we lost our major killed...the second battle was on the 30th day of July 1864. this battle was called the...explosion of Burnside's mine. In this engagement the Johnny's gobbled up the left wing of the 14th...our loss in this engagement was heavy in killed and wounded, besides loosing in captured our Col., three line officers and 65 enlisted men. I am not prejudicial; But I...think...if it had not been for the Colored troops engaged that day and we had had White troops...we might have gained the day...[and] delivered me from ever being taken a prisoner while mixed up with Uncle Sam's tanned soldiers...the Johnny's went through me...they then threatened to shoot me for being an officer over nigger troops...I denied the charge, but...Johnny hit me over the head with the butt of his gun [while] at the same time pointing...towards the rear...the [POW] officers were ordered to fall in together...there were 80 officers...captured...there were some 21 officers who belonged to the Colored troops. They gave their names as belonging to white Regiments...which made...the Rebs very indignant for they were very anxious to find out who the above named officers were...they tried to wreak their vengeance on all...they took four darkies...and formed them in double file. They then placed four officers in rear of them and then four more of U. S...soldiers in rear of the officers...forming a company of half and half white and black...we were marched through...Petersburg with a great crowd of Reb soldiers following in our rear shouting how are you Yanks; fight with niggers will you ha-ha...after marching us through...Petersburg...we were put on old box cars and shipped to Danville, Va. where we remained three days and nights...we were again...shipped to Columbia, S. C. arriving...on the 5th day of August 1864. here we remained until February 15th 1865...the Rebs told us we would soon be exchanged...the thoughts of...that good old Flag the Stars and Stripes...caused among us. On the 28th day of February 1865 I signed the following parole [fully transcribed here]...we arrived in the Union lines on the 1st day of March 1865...while a prisoner we were all but starved and we suffered much for want of clothing...our rations consisted of 5 pints of corn and cob meal for 5 days, 2 tablespoons full of salt for 5 days...1/2 pint of rice for 5 days. I got as fat as a match...the Rebels did not issue us anything to put our meal in...we who were...[in] possession of a pair of drawers cut off the legs, sewed up one end...which made an excellent bag. Others used their boots...thankful that we are alive and able to correspond with other and hoping to hear from you...". Light wrinkles, and expected wear to edges, overall very good condition. $700 - 900