Civil War–dated ALS signed “E. L. Buterbaugh,” one page both sides, 8 x 10, May 17, 1864. Letter home to his brother containing gruesome content on the Battle of Proctor's Creek. In part: “I have been in three battles since I come down here. The first was not very hard but yesterday we had a dreadful time. We had drove the rebels within seven miles of Richmond and they got reinforcements. Sunday night and Monday morning it was so foggy that we could not see them till they made a charge and cut Gen. Heckman's division all to pieces…They come down on us with three divisions and drove us out of the breast works. We fell back to an open field and formed in line again then the rebs come on us again but we held the ground, they planted some artillery on the breastworks and shelled us. It was the awfulest sight I ever saw. See men torn to pieces some their arms shot off and some their legs all around it looked hard. Gen. Heckman is taken prisoner or killed. I heard that Gen. Butler has sent to the Army of the Potomac for reinforcements as soon as they come we will try the rebs again.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds and scattered staining. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
