(CIVIL WAR INDIANA) Fast Orlando J An infantry captains let

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"I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE MADE A BULLET YET THAT CAN HIT ME" (CIVIL WAR--INDIANA.) Fast, Orlando J. An infantry captain's letter describing the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Autograph Letter Signed to "Uncle Jimmie." 4 pages, 12 1/2 x 8 inches, on one folding sheet; folds, light soiling. With typed transcript. Bellefonte, AL, 14 March 1864

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Orlando Jacob Fast (1838-1888) was a graduate of Mount Union College who enlisted as a private in the 100th Indiana Infantry, but was soon promoted to captain. This was his first letter to his uncle, so he found it necessary to recount several months of military experience. He had a wonderful view of the Battle of Lookout Mountain: "We climbed to the point of a mountain peak where we reviewed a battle off to the left of Lookout Mountain. This was a grand scene, and more interesting because we were out of danger. We could see the battallions manoeuvering, lines advancing, and others giving back." He had a less pleasant experience the next day: "Our old 24-pounders let loose at the Rebs on Missionary Ridge. This opened the ball in brilliant style. . . . I never want to see the hail come faster than the bullets flew there for a few hours. I have been surprised that any of us got through alive at all, but many came through all right. I was through the hottest of the whole battle, and never got a scratch. I don't think they have made a bullet yet that can hit me." Any experienced reader of Civil War letters knows that a statement like this spells nearly certain doom for the author, but in this case Captain Fast somehow survived through the end of the war.