Soldier's letter discussing the Battle of Chancellorsville
and containing hand-drawn map showing rebel positions and 2 Confederate envelopes, by Charles D. Gilmore as a major of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiments. "Near Chancellorsville Va," 5 May 1863.
2 pages, 4 15/16 x 8 in., creased throughout, with some repaired separations, toning, staining to upper right corner of first page.
In this letter addressed to "Miss Augusta," Gilmore writes: "...I directed my 'contraband' servant to search the pockets of dead rebels for postage stamps & confederate 'shin plasters' he found none, but in a rebel officer's haversack he found the enclosed envelopes, which is a convincing proof that the blockade of the Federal Government is more effective than some of the copperheads of the north would like to believe." Here, he is likely referencing the poor quality of the brown paper envelopes enclosed, as the paper is very dark and pulpy. The successful prevention of imported goods meant supply shortages for the south, including paper.
Gilmore continues, writing at the close of the Battle of Chancellorsville: "We are having a great battle or a succession of them, the particulars of which will reach you by telegraph before you get this. it is now night and Genl. Sedgwick's gns can be heard some five miles below us, at Bank's ford. he commands the 6th Army Corps. he crossed the Rappahanock below Fredericksburg - has fought his way through that strong place, and drove the enemy before him to his present position. if he can hold on where he is until morning it now seems that the rebels must surrender of be obliged to flee from their present place. God grant that he may be able to hold on six hours longer." As fate would have it, in an unpopular decision, General Hooker would order a retreat of the Union forces on the very day that Gilmore writes this letter.
He then discusses a small pox outbreak in the regiment, leading to its detachment from the brigade: "...and now Lt. Col. Chamberlain & myself with about 500 men have charge of the telegraph line from Gen. Hooker to Falmouth & our regiment are strung out on the whole line 18 miles. Col Ames is here on Genl. Meads staff - we have lost but one man so far he had both arms amputated today. We are called to mourn the loss of many a brave officer & soldier, but they died in a glorious cause."
Letter accompanied by 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. pencil-drawn map showing Union positions around Chancellorsville, with General Hooker's headquarters indicated by a red asterisk. Confederate positions are indicated by red curlicues. A key to the lower left lists the Union corps and commanders involved in the fight.
Letter also accompanied by 2 captured brown paper Confederate envelopes, each approx. 5 1/2 x 3 in.
GILMORE, Charles D. (1816-1884) was 40 years old when he was commisioned a captain, Company C, 7th Maine Infantry Regiment on 22 August 1861. He served with that regiment for nearly a year before being commissioned into the 20th Maine Infantry as a major on 8 August 1862. He would be promoted two more times, first to lieutenant colonel on 20 May 1863 (just 15 days after he wrote the letter featured here), and then to colonel on 15 June 1864. He was finally discharged for disability on 29 May 1865.
