West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to R. West [incomplete]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.10 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter Date: 22 July 1861 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 24.6 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Says they arrived in the Navy Yard at Washington the night before after being towed up the Potomac River. As they came up the river they heard "furious cannonading which never ceased until after our arrival at the city and learned that a desperate battle was going on at Bull's Run about 30 miles distant." Says they suddenly received an order from Captain Dahlgren to get underway at once and proceed to Alexandria. A steamer was pulling the brig as fast as it could and they speculated that the army lost and that they were needed to protect the town from a Confederate attack or to keep it "being sacked by our own troops in case they were disorganized." Says they heard of the defeat once they arrived, but that the troops later rallied. Later heard that a Union division had turned an enemy's position and "God grant that it may prove correct but I have many doubts. The only thing certain is that a great battle has been fought." Appears to be an incomplete letter because the letter was torn at the fold and has no signature.
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