Two items related to Gettysburg: a three-page handwritten newspaper report, by an unknown author, 5 x 8, concerning the fierce artillery fighting around the Trostle Farm after Sickles advanced his line without orders. In part: “2nd day's fight at Gettysburg…Let me give one phase of the fight…some Mass batteries. Capt. Bigelow's, Capt. Phillip's two or three more under Capt. McGilvery of Maine were planted on the extreme left advanced…down the Emmitsburg road with…the first division…of Sickles's Corpls…after 5 a fierce rebel charge drove back the infantry & menaced the batteries. Orders are sent to Bigelow…to hold his position at all hazards…then with depressed guns…[and] with double charges of grape & canister he…shatters but cannot break the advancing line. His grape & canister are exhausted…on they come. He falls back on spherical-case…he holds his position…within six paces of the guns…once more…he blows devoted soldiers from his…muzzles…they spring upon his carriages & shoot down his horses. And then…he seizes the guns by hand &…drags 2 of them off…in that half hours' fight lost 33 of its men including every sergeant…the Capt…was wounded…it was the first time it was ever under fire…the rebels now…on Phillip's battery…it too was forced to drag off the pieces by hand when the horses were shot down. From a new position it opened again…an enfilading fire swept the Rebel line. Sickles's gallant infantry charged the Rebel line…[and] we regained the lost ground.”; and a partly-printed DS, signed “Henry Spayd,” of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 18 x 24, dated 1864. Document appears to be a clothing return account for Co. C, 149th Penn. (2nd Bucktails) Vole. in which Sgt. Spayd acknowledges the receipt of clothing and accoutrements worn out during the previous year's campaigns. Spayd fought gallantly on the First Day's Battle of Gettysburg during which he was shot while fighting desperately to defend the Pennsylvania State flag, only to have it captured after he went down. Upon his return to the regiment in late 1863 he was made color-sergeant and carried the national flag for the remainder of the war. Report is in fine condition, with expected light toning. Document rates good, with several partial and complete separations, fragile folds, and scattered toning and soiling. First-hand accounts of any battle, particularly Gettysburg, are quite desirable. RR Auction COA.
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