June 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, June 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/27/2013
Extensive lot of items belonging to Edward Gridley of the 9th New York Heavy Artillery, including the Minie ball that wounded him at the Battle of Cold Harbor. Also included are eight letters -- seven written by Gridley to his family, with one recording the first foray of General Robert E. Lee into Maryland during the Gettysburg Campaign. In this letter dated 12 June 1863, Gridley writes, ''...The rebs tried to make a raid into Maryland yesterday morning. They charged the river about eight or ten miles from here at Poolsville. Thirty of our men drove two hundred of back across the river. They killed four of our men and we killed eighteen of them...'' Starting in mid-June, Lee capitalized on his victory at Chancellorsville to move offensively into Union territory, hoping northerners would turn against the war. Though Lee was initially successful, Union forces proved too powerful at Gettysburg, forcing the Confederates to retreat across the Potomac, and turning the tide of the war. Other letters include one written by Gridley on 24 November 1863, in part, ''...Yesterday we had a brigade drill. There were three regts on the ground. They made a splended apperiance...I presume it would looked differant if there had been about the same number of rebs a coming up to attack us. I think they would hound a hard lot to handle, but I do not wish to have them attack us to test our bravery...'' About six months later, the 9th New York Artillery was heavily engaged at Cold Harbor, where 25 were killed and over 50 wounded, including Gridley. The next few letters are written from his hospital in Philadelphia. Letter dated 26 November 1864 reads in part, ''...I had a very large piece of bone taken out of my wound a few days ago & since then I have been on the gain...The doc tried two mornings to pull the bone out. He reached in my wound with his forseps & got a hold of the bone & pulled on it until they sliped of three times, but it would not come. It seemed to me as though he would tear me into. I tell you the tears & snot flew the third morning. The bone had nearly worked out itself. I was laying down when the doc took it out & when I raised up the ensuption [incision?] ran out a stream as large as my finger...'' Four letters are written from the hospital after Gridley was wounded at Cold Harbor -- three from Gridley and one from an A.G. McAllister, as Gridley was too weak to write. The other four letters are written in 1863 in locations throughout Maryland. The lot also includes Gridley's discharge document, two GAR medals and the spent Minie ball that caused Gridley so much pain. Minie ball is in two pieces, the largest of which measures about 1'' long. Most letters run 4pp., measuring 5'' x 8''. Very good condition, with legible writing and all but one letter written in ink. Accompanied by full translations.
9th NY Artilleryman Lot Including Minie Ball That Hit Him at Cold Harbor -- Soldier Also Records Lee's First Raid of Gettysburg Campaign in June 1863 -- ''...The rebs tried to make a raid into...
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