Description:

COL. ROBERT GOULD SHAW AND 54TH MASSACHUSETTS
NATHAN D. A. SAWYER (b. 1838) Captain of the Mass. 2nd Infantry, wounded at Winchester, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Peach Tree Creek. Fine content A.L.S., 12pp. 8vo., "Camp 2nd Mass. Inf. Near Stafford C. H. ", May 30, 1863 and concluded in Lowell, Mass, Oct. 23, 1863. Sawyer writes to Capt. Luis F. Emilio of the famous 54th Massachusetts which assaulted Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863. Emilio was one of the very few officers to survive, serving as acting commander during part of the assault. In part: "...Allow me to congratulate you on you advancement in the military...To use every means in our power to put down this rebellion...and for every colored man in our army, a white man is saved; and they are willing and proud to render this service and I believe they will prove a terrible power against their enemies...This is what I have long wished to see, colored men fighting for their liberty...and the extermination of this wicked revolution and cruel oppression...". Sawyer picks up writing this letter on Oct. 23, after his wounding at Gettysburg: "...we were suddenly ordered off, and were on the move...until the battle of Gettysburg, not once pitching our tents...this wound is in the front part of the thigh...the principle muscle...was cut...causing lameness for a long while...think I shall return to the Regt...Col. Shaw is mourned by many aside from his officers and men in the 54th - He could not fill a more honorable grave, though the spirit which gave it to him was so demoniac. I wanted Capt. Smith to tell me the particulars about the charge of your Regt. on Fort Wagner...you are one of the lucky ones as we have a few like you...ThEy have never been hit...Our fight at Gettysburg was I think the sternest fight we have had...we went into action with...290 and came out with 125 men - in my company there were thirty five and after the fight ten men - many who were wounded have since died...we got so close to the enemy that every shot that hit was severe...we were right in among them...as I believe you were at Wagner. You lost your Colonel, we lost our 1st Colonel...Many people are dissatisfied with the results of the Gettysburg battle, because Meade did not totally destroy or capture Lee's army...it had been a desperate encounter...When they got down to the river they had a splendid position for artillery - and a fine hill with rifle pits...the rear guard being enough to retard the advance of the following party. Everyone must have wondered that Meade with equal numbers only, did not surround Lee's army and swallow them up...an enemy such as they...is not easily handled...In about three weeks Capt. Crowninshield, Lt. Delray and myself intend to start to...our Regts...we cannot get there if there is much or any walking to do...Delray has his right arm amputated...Grant will have a big fight before long, and I want to be there......". Fine condition. A great letter!

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December 9, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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