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Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) [Questions regarding munitions]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.033 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph note signed Date: 3 June 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 12.8 x 7.4 cm. Order a Copy

A field dispatch written during the Battle of Cold Harbor. Hunt signs with initials. Hunt asks Col. Charles H. Tompkins how many batteries have been engaged and arms expended and whether he can spare ammunition for Capt. Elder. A Tompkins autograph note signed on verso says "Have five (5) batteries engaged. Have expended about 100 rounds per gun. Not known exactly…." Offers to provide ammunition to Captain Elder, but may need it himself.

The Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign, pitted Grant against Lee in one of the war's bloodiest engagements. At dawn on 3 June 1864, Grant advanced against the Confederates with some 110,000 men; more than 5000 of them were killed within an hour. By the end of the day, both armies had entrenched. Minor skirmishes followed until 12 June, when Grant withdrew across the James River.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889

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