WE . . . HAD A VIEW OF . . . THE BATTLE WITH THE MERRIMACK & MONITOR" (CIVIL WAR--BUSINESS.) CORNING, ERASTUS. Autograph Letter Signed, to his wife Harriet Weld ("My dear Wife"), describing his trip to VA and back to Washington with military escort, including details about the war-torn scenes he witnessed. 7 pages, 4to, written on two folded sheets; complete separations at several folds resulting in 8 loose parts, moderate dampstaining affecting each page (but still very legible), docketed on terminal page. Sold as is.Washington, 4 June 1862

"I returned from our trip South yesterday and I assure you we had a pleasant time, barring what we have seen of the horrors of war.". . . Gen'l Wool . . . concluded to remain on Board the Steamer and go with us to Norfolk. We . . . had a view of the situation of our Navy at the Battle with the Merrimack & Monitor and the wreck of the Merrimack, and the deferent Rebel Batteries on the river, we reached Norfolk . . . and called on Gen Vide who has the command at Norfolk . . . . [W]e visited various parts of the City and found every thing quiet . . .--the Citizens kept within doors . . . . [E]very thing bore the appearance of the desolation of the War. While there I met Gen [John] Millson who has been for a long time a Member of Congress and a most worthy and Loyal man. The Gen'l went out of Congress when his State went out of the Union. I said to him that I hoped we should soon meet at Washington. In answer he said No, never.". . . We, on leaving the City, went up to the Navy Yard, where a seen [sic] of desolation presented its self. When the rebels left Norfolk they Burnt the Buildings and every thing that was combustible attached to the Navy Yard. . . . We reached the White House . . . on Sunday and there found the Largest fleet of Shipping I have ever seen congregated at any one place . . . . There was a large number of wounded officers and soldiers on board of the Hospital Steamers, which had reached there on Sunday Morning from the Battle which was fought before Richmond on Saturday . . . . It was a disturbing sight to witness their transfer from the Cars to the Boats. They were wounded in all possible places. There were men who walked from the Cars to the boats who had their arm shot of[f]. Many of them had had no attention from the Surgeons . . . .". . . We left the White House . . . on Monday Morning and went to York Town . . . . [W]e went over the ground which was occupied by the defences built by the rebels . . . . We then went over part of the works thrown up by Gen'l McClellan . . . ."Lieu't Pease of our City . . . was our escort . . . . We visited the House in which the Articles of Capitulation was signed between Washington & Cornwallis for the surrender of the British Army in the [R]evolution. . . .