148

Charles Thayer.

Two letters from a cavalry officer on the Valley Campaign.

Various places, October-November 1864
Pair of Autograph Letters Signed to his mother Caroline Thayer in Franklin, MA. Each 4 pages on one folding sheet, the first 12½ x 7¾ inches, and the second 10 x 7¾ inches; each with mailing folds and repaired closed tears. With two stamped envelopes bearing Martinsburg, WV postmarks.

Charles Henry Thayer (1840-1903) of Franklin, MA enlisted just over the border with the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. 

His first letter describes the Union's romp at Tom's Brook, toward the end of Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. "We fought the enemy's cavalry & drove them in confusion through Woodstock, Edinburgh, to Mt. Jackson, one of the greatest cavalry fights in which I ever participated. We captured 11 pieces of artillery, 40 wagons, & two hundred prisoners." 

He also describes a less happy skirmish the following day: "Col. Nott of Gen. Sheridan's staff, while coming from Winchester today with 25 men, was attacked by a large party of guerillas, and his party dispersed, most of his men being killed & wounded. He was so severely wounded that he lived only 12 hours after getting to camp." He also describes at length the execution of a deserter named John Gatz after a rapid "drum head court martial." Near Strasburg, VA, 14 October 1864.

Thayer's 17 November letter describes large numbers of Confederate deserters coming into the lines, who were then enlisted into Union regiments, and proved no more enthusiastic after switching sides: "Out of 50 conscripts, over half deserted." Kernstown, VA, 17 November 1864.

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