(CIVIL WAR PENNSYLVANIA) Winans Jacob S Letter describing h

Sale 2391 - Lot 126

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Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200

HOLDING OFF HILL'S BRIGADE IN THE INFAMOUS CORN FIELD (CIVIL WAR--PENNSYLVANIA.) Winans, Jacob S. Letter describing heavy action at the Battle of Antietam. Autograph Letter Signed to father Isaac Winans of New Brighton, PA. 5 pages, 8 x 5 inches, on two sheets; second sheet irregularly torn on one edge before use. With stamped envelope bearing illegible postmark. Camp near Sharpsburg, MD, 19 September 1862

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Jacob S. Winans (1838-1914) was a lieutenant in the 9th Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, also known as the 38th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Writing just two days after Antietam, Winans recalls that after a restless night of picket fire, "we commenced the battle next morning about 3 o clock. We went out under a shower of shells & shot in front of our battery and laid down along a fence . . . the field in front (a corn field) was on a little raise. . . . Waited until the rebels came within 30 or 40 yards of us. At the word the 9th gave them a withering volley. The men halted and fired but their balls went high & did little damage. The enemy, a Texas brigade, did not stand long. They fell back in disorder and a fresh brigade took their place & commenced firing from the opposite side of the field. . . . We did not reply and advanced. We gained the high ground and opened on them. At this place our men fell thick and fast. The regts on our left (new regts) broke after the second volley, leaving us unsupported to fight a whole brigade of DH Hill's men. We drove them back and entirely out of the field." He describes the loss of three color-bearers in rapid succession: "I then sent Edward Dorien to take them. I told him to lie flat on the ground and hold them up. He escaped and carried them off the field. I promoted him to corporal when we came off the field. "