Lt. Calvin Pierce Autograph Letter Signed with Battle of Middle Creek Content. Nineteen pages of bifolia, 4.75" x 8", Camp Buell [Kentucky]; January 18, 1862. In this lengthy letter to his sweetheart, Cordeal, Pierce discusses the Battle of Middle Creek, the death of his friend, William Gardiner, and the wounding of another, Jacob James. It reads in part: " ...at this moment they commenced cheering Jeff Davis. This was more than our nerves could stand, and with one rousing cheer for "Lincoln and the Unions" we fixed our Bayonets and gave them the contents of our Rifles, killing several of the foremost ones on the spot and charged upon them driving them entirely from that part of the hill and occupying it until the Battle ceased at night...Our loss was 1 killed and 12 wounded 2 of which have since died, and one from our own company named Gardener...one by the name of James so severely [wounded] that it is doubtful whether he ever gets well. I stood by his side when he was hit, he spoke to me and said that he believed he was shot...I thought it was nothing more than a bruise, upon which he again took his gun, and fired a number of shots, and never returning from the hill until the rest of us did. After coming down he still complained of feeling bad, and went to the surgeon...it was found that the Ball had entered his abdomen...little hope was entertained for his recovery, but he still continues to live..." Calvin, flushed with victory, concludes his letter with an optimistic look to the future: " ...look upon the bright side, think that this war will soon be brought to a successful close. That your friends will all return and that our nation may once more be the united, prosperous and happy People we have been in years gone by..." Signed, " Calvin." Jacob James (1830-1916) was discharged from service for the wounds he received in this battle, but he recovered, living to the age of 85. He died in Chicago in 1916. Condition: Light edgewear with occasional chipping. Rubbed with intermittent toning from age. Professional repair to tear on first page. Smoothed mail folds. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved