March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Fine Civil War autograph letter signed by Captain Isaac Hodgen of the 99th Illinois Infantry describing the capture of Fort Esperanza and, in so doing, correcting the official record which has the battle occurring from 28-30 November; this letter confirms the battle as 29-30 November with three more wounded than officially stated. Datelined Fort Esperanza, Texas on 5 December 1863, letter reads in part, ''We found one regiment of Rebbels here at this fort strongly fortified, but they did not stand long before our superior numbers and they then evacuated the fort at night. We got five prisoners and killed one captain. I don't know how many were wounded. Of our forces, five were wounded and one killed. Our regiment was not in the engagement. I was detailed with my company from the Regt to go with the skirmishers the first day and engage the enemy. Also one company from each of the four remaining Regt's of our brigade. We had three wounded in skirmishing. Were on a large level sandy plain or prairie and had no protection from their fire. The Rebbels had some five large guns as we advanced. They threw a 13 inch shell, which struck about 20 yards in front of my company and bounced over us, striking about the same distance in our rear where it exploded. No one was hurt. I had just ordered my men to lay down when I saw the smoke of the cannon. We remained under their fire all afternoon and were ordered back to the regiment in the evening. Lieutenant Fife, a a General of our brigade, was wounded when he brought us orders to fall back. All my company behaved well. It is indeed a trying time and nothing but patriotism and a sense of duty could urge men up to this point, Isaac Hodgen''. Four page letter is accompanied by envelope.
99th Illinois Infantry Capt., Capturing Texas' Fort Esperanza -- ''...The Rebbels threw a 13 inch shell, which struck about 20 yards in front of my company and bounced over us, where it exploded..."
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