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Civil War-dated ALS signed “John Ecclefield,” two pages both sides, 7.75 x 12.5, June 18, 1863. Handwritten letter from "Rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi," from a Union soldier in Carr's Division during the Siege of Vicksburg. In part (spelling and grammar corrected for ease of reading): "We was ordered from Millinkins Bend down the river to work on one of Gen. Grant's celebrated canals and we have been on active duty ever since…We was at the bombardment of Grand Guld it was a grand and spirited affair but we failed to dislodge the rebels from their position. Gen. Grant gave orders for the gun boats to withdraw and the troops to be ready to march around by land for he intended the boys to sleep over there before another night. Our transports ran the blockade…commenced to march for Port Gibson…rebels opened on us with his artillery…Gen'l McClernand came up with the infantry and artillery…we rolled on our right through a perfect storm of shot and shell…rebels had a strong position and fought desperately all day with heavy loss on both sides…captured five hundred prisoners…see our fellow soldiers dead and unburied laid just as they fell was the bloodiest battle… the slaughter was awful on the rebel side, their dead and wounded was laid in heaps all over the battle field…our cannon mowed them down by the hundreds…roads impassible for the dead, wounded horses, broken cannon… [At Black River Bridge] our boys charged on the works and carried them at point of bayonet capturing three thousand prisoners…rebels then set fire to the bridge and two steam boats…the day of the charge [at Vicksburg]…cost us a great sacrifice and demolished the whole army…our dead and wounded was left on the field for three days…I do not see any prospects of getting relieved from our position soon as the rebels do not seem inclined to give it up but get saviger every day and fight harder as we advance. Your son Charley sends his love to you and says he will write to you as soon as Vicksburg falls which we all hope will be before long." In very good condition, with scattered staining and small splits to intersecting folds.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
