Nov 21 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2687 -

Sale 2687 - Lot 81

Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(CIVIL WAR--CONFEDERATE.) Robert G. Cross. Letter hoping for a chance to draw the Colored Troops into their "slaughter pen." 2 pages, 9½ x 7 inches, on one sheet; folds, minor wear. Chaffin's Farm, VA, 17 November 1864

Additional Details

The adjutant of the consolidated 44th and 25th Tennessee regiments describes the Union troops which seem to be massing for an assault near Chaffin's Farm in Virginia:

"The enemy appear to be massing their forces about Fort Harrison, right at us. I hope they will try their strength here. If the reserves will stand, we will have another slaughter pen in our front. . . . The enemy have some color'd troops on our right. I want to see these braves charge our works. We have given over talking about a settlement, other than the arbitrament of the sword."

The hoped-for clash never took place, as the armies remained in their trenches along this line through the end of the war.