706. CAMPAIGNING IN VIRGINIA AFTER ANTIETAM An interesting war-date Union soldier's, 4pp. 8vo., letter written in pencil by Pvt. George H. Spencer, Co. F, 6th Mass. Vols., Suffolk, Va., Oct. 27, 1862 to his friend concerning operations in southern Virginia after the Antietam campaign. In part: "...have you heard of our Force[d] march to Black Water...we had to march to Winsor...we took a round about way we march about 40 miles. We started at 5 o'clock Friday afternoon...we stopped for 4 hours then the order came for us to fill in and we marched within 1/2 mile of Blackwater. We were order Back to our Place where we had just Left... We had about 146 prisoners and 2 of them were guerrillas they were caught in the woods giving Signals to the Rebels. They said that they were shooting Squirrels But the Rebels fired 7 guns as soon as they fired at a Squirrels...we marched them 12 miles...then let them go...the march was hard...we Refused to go any further so they had to let us stop...you had ought to see a force march to Battle...[our Captain] is one of your Rough Spoken men that growl at the men as if they were dogs...I have not heard a man speak ill of him and I don't think it would be safe for them to as we are all bound to fight for him. If the men are tired and fall out of the Ranks the Major Rides close and says Fall in men or you will get arrested or the Rebel's Cavalry will wisk you up...when our Capt sees them he stops and asks them what is the matter...they say that they or tired they feet are sore. He says so am I...get up and try a little further... the men think a minute then says we'll try...the Capt tries to cheer up...the men in the regiment all say that Co. F has got the best officers...they like our company best...I have got over my tramp as the cartridge box and belt made me [a] little lame...I had no sleep with them on as we are not allowed to take them off and slept with our hands on our guns...Capt. [John S.] Sawyer's barrel came just now..." Private Spencer served in the 6th Mass. Vols. until June 1863, and then reenlisted in the 60th Mass. Vols. during the summer of 1864. Very good. $150-200