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Van Hook, John C., 1831-1910 to George Wortham

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.45 Author/Creator: Van Hook, John C., 1831-1910 Place Written: Washington, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 June 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 19.5 cm, Width: 11.5 cm Order a Copy

Van Hook has just learned that two hundred Union soldiers have landed at Bath and he is certain that they can be captured and their boats sunk. He asks Wortham to send his battery, two companies of infantry, and his company of cavalry to assist in this operation.

Excerpt: "…a party of Yankees no. two hundred have landed at [Bath?] taking off citizens they have taken two good & loyal citizens. Their gunboats two at least is laying in the river & have been for several days they can be sunk without a doubt. I wish you to join me & send your battery & two Companies of Infantry & your company of cavalry & I will send two companies from here & my cavalry, my battery has no rifled pieces - nothing but Howitzers… The troops should go down under cover of darkness… There is no doubt but we can capture them or sink these boats, &c."

John C. Van Hook was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.

Van Hook, John Campbell, 1831-1910
Wortham, George, fl. 1823-1883

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