Civil War Union General James Beaver ALS Signed Letter Re Battle Of Cold Harbor
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:236234 |
Union General James A. Beaver (1837 – 1914) 2 pp., no cover, ALS to military historian John Codman Ropes about the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia in 1864. As Colonel with the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, Beaver was wounded through the body at Chancellorsville, Virginia, wounded in the right hip at Cold Harbor, wounded in the left side by a shell fragment at Petersburg, Virginia and wounded in the right thigh with loss of leg at Ream’s Station, Virginia. After the war he pursued a ...law career and served as the 20th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1891. He also served as the acting president of Pennsylvania State University from 1906 to 1908. Letter reads, Bellefonte Pa. 16 July 1883My dear Sir, Your letter of the 21st ult. has been rec’d. My absence from home and urgent professional and other engagements have prevented an earlier reply. Unless I were subjected to a pretty rigid cross-examination I would scarcely know how to begin a description of the details of the battle of Cold Harbor. Our brigade the 4th 1st Div 2nd Corps charged in two lines. I had command of the second line and before the fight was over found myself in command of the brig. altho, as I afterwards discovered not the ranking officer on the field. The staff reported to me (?) and I commanded until the fight was over. Our first line was composed of the 7th NY Heavy Artillery, which joined us after the campaign of ’64 commenced and was commanded by Col. Morris of the regular Army. The first line entered the Confederate works and turned the guns in at least one gun uponthe enemy. I saw Col. Morris assisting in handling this piece himself. The enemy however had a second line in at least heavy reinforcements in the rear and drove our people out just as the second line reached the units - which created considerable confusion. As a consequence we did not enter our line being there was into confusion – but I got to use of our very own men who were very cool to hurry up a few rails and with ten-plates and bayonets, we made a little shelter which excelled us to buy the enemy’s works and in the course of an hour or two, we had our work so strong that they could not dislodge us. Here we stayed the (?) of the army until the movement to the James. If I knew the particular point to which you wish to direct my attention I might perhaps give you more satisfactory information - but without some reminder or interrogatory I scarcely know what to write you. I send you herewith a little vol. which may give you some information. It was prepared by Col. Burns last fall for a political campaign but his evidence was carefully (?) the (?) (?) living services. I contributed very little being very busy.Truly yours,
James A. Beaver * CONDITION: Very Good++
* SIZE: Measures approximately 11/16 inches in diameter.
James A. Beaver * CONDITION: Very Good++
* SIZE: Measures approximately 11/16 inches in diameter.
