(CIVIL WAR NEW YORK) Martin Harlan P Letter defending the U

Sale 2420 - Lot 107

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(CIVIL WAR--NEW YORK.) Martin, Harlan P. Letter defending the Union's defeat at Chancellorsville. Autograph Letter Signed as "H.P. Martin" to mother in North Hartford, NY. 4 pages, 8 x 4 3/4 inches, on one folding sheet; minor foxing. With original stamped envelope bearing Washington, DC postmark. Stafford Court House, VA, 18 May 1863

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Private Harlan P. Martin of the 123rd New York Infantry here puts the best possible spin on the Union defeat in the Battle of Chancellorsville: "I suppose there is a great cry raised about 'Hooker's defeat' as it is called. . . . Hooker was not defeated and could have held his position in spite of them if he so wished." He also alludes to Stonewall Jackson's surprise flank attack which routed the XI Corps: "In the battle of Sunday we killed and wounded three to their one and on Saturday night if it had not been for the cowardice of the 11th Corp which broke and run without firing a shot, Jackson's command would have been annihilated." Finally, he reports on a few of his regiment's casualties: "Sam Wright they say had part of his hand taken off about opposite the thumb. Dan Baker was wounded in the hip and has been taken to Washington. . . . Our Lieutenant Colonel is dead." A thoughtful first-hand account of one of the war's major battles.