1862 HANDWRITTEN CIVIL WAR MANUSCRIPT LETTER BY AN EYEWITNESS AND COMBATANT IN THE BATTLE OF WASHINGTON

On offer is a super, original Union Civil War soldier's letter with cover, written September 6 1862, approx. 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" is written on both sides of a pocket calendar page has been folded in thirds with no tears. Addressed to Miss Sarah H. Manning, care of Manning Starwood of Boston Massachusetts the letter reads in part: "Washington has been attacked. The rebs are driven away. Loss on both sides large. The cavalry are out after them now. The gun-boat Picket was destroyed by the explosion of the magazine. We lost four 12 pds field pieces. No officers on our side killed. One cavalry officer wounded. Dead rebels lie about the streets in dozens. Please write to mother. We are still under arms at the edge of the town. I write this to go by first boat lest I should not have the time to write more. In great haste." This is a nice piece of eyewitness history of the battle for Washington, a battle that occurred after second Manassis and before Antitiem. VG.