Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed

“While the enemy threatens our front, and there remains a reasonable prospect or hope for him to advance, I will not leave my post except to meet him."

Autograph Letter Signed, 8 ¼” x 10 ½”, four pages on a folded letter-sheet, with exceptional content.  Writing to his wife from winter encampment in the northern Virginia, Griffith details the dire situation of matters within the Confederate Army, shares emotional reflections on family and friends, and mentions several slaves by name.

“H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs 1^st Corps Army Potomac, Leesburg, V[irgini]a, Jan[uar]y 21^st 1862. 

My darling wife,

My last letter to you had scarcely been mailed, when much to my delight, yours of 10^th inst[ant] was placed in my hands, acknowledging the receipt of the $10.00 for little Georgy’s new year’s gift.  Happy indeed was I to learn that all at home were well once more, and sincerely do I hope you may thus continue – and that health, happiness and prosperity may constantly attend you until we meet again.  But when that may be I am unable to say at present.  While the enemy threatens our front, and there remains a reasonable prospect or hope for him to advance, I will not leave my post except to meet him.  For the past week the weather has been moderate and wet, & the ground in consequence becoming quite soft.  Should similar weather continue much longer, the roads will become impassable for Artillery and heavy wagon trains, and render active field operations for troops utterly impracticable.  Then I may seize upon the auspicious moment and run home, if to remain there only a few days.  After much beseeching I have yielded to the wishes of my Adj[utant] Gen[era]l and consented to recommend him for a Furlough of 30 days.  During his absence I can’t think of leaving, as much confusion would ensue in the official business of my department – having no other competent to supply his place.  Gen[era]l Hill with assistance of Col[onel] Barksdale could readily fill my post, but my aid is not qualified to step into the shoes of my Adjutant.  To undertake the qualifying another is just what I don’t feel disposed to do just now.  The preparing od one was a huge task, and required several months training, and to attempt to teach another, who is not a very apt scholar, would be a herculean labor, and too much for one year’s campaign.  When

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Capt[ain] Inge returns from his Furlough, I may then be able to leave, which will be most likely towards the latter part of February, providing the opposing armies continue as they now are.  Should I not get the privilege of a short leave, you will be informed of it, and there I shall certainly insist upon a visit from you.  Ere this I should have persuaded you to visit Leesburg, but I knew full well the troubles and difficulties such a trip at this season of the year – encumbered with children and baggage, over broken & interrupted rail roads.  It would be hazardous in the extreme, unless accompanied by someone that could attend to all your wants & wishes to render you comfortable.  Such trips had better be postponed to a more favorable season.  You may rest assured I will come home on a visit if I can possibly leave my post in security.  This however I intend keeping to myself.

As yet, dear wife, those wished for reinforcements have not been furnished, and I much fear they will be looked for in vain.  Gen[era]l Beauregard cannot spare them without weakening his lines.  He has sent us some ordnance which is of material importance, and we have the promise of some more.  But we need an increase of infantry, as well as of Cavalry and Artillery.  Our ranks are being gradually thinned, and no recruits coming to supply the vacancies.  Spring may find our troops going home – their present term of enlistment having expired – and without re-enlistment of new troops, the field must be abandoned to the enemy, and Virginia wil be lost to us, and with the loss of Virginia all is gone and the ‘rebellion crushed.’  The prospect to me just now seems gloomy indeed, but I look for a bright and cheerful dawn.  The women of our Country will be its hope and salvation.  They must not permit the men to remain at home while we have an invading and heartless foe on our borders.  Let them point the finger od scorn at every able bodied man who refuses or fails to meet his country’s call.  Duty demands his service and he is a bare recreant who declines to respond favorably.

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Glad to learn Dr. Buck has returned home, for I shall feel much better satisfied with his Medical attendance in our family; at same time intending no disparagement to the other Doctors of Jackson.  By the papers I see that our Governor has recalled the 60 days militia or Supernumeraries.  I suppose they will be turned into a Home Guard again – filling a place that could be much better occupied by one heroic and patriotic woman – the support of the army – God bless them – following the war worn soldiers with their tears, their blessing, and their prayers – encouraging and cheering him in his manly duty.  Excuse me, dear wife, for writing so much on these matters.  My heart is in it.

I thank you for re-fitting the orchard – it was much needed.  It seems to me that Tom is sufficiently intelligent to cut out the dead limbs and twigs, and shorten in the too much extended  branches.  Perhaps he is the best chance under the circumstances – with Jim Brown or Jim Gardener to assist.  Mr. Allen may have returned by this time, and may be profitably employed again at home.  But I would much rather see him in the ranks as a soldier.  By the way, in riding along the brigade line I saw Mr. Tripp – he has not called to see me.  I also saw Mr. Pat O’conner – my old gardener – in the ranks, and many others I might name whom you might have known – old & young.  Do you know one Ja[me]s D. Green, son of Thomas K. Green?  He is in the ranks here and has applied to me for some position that would relieve him.  If it is the one I think, I don’t like the stock.  Such applications are very numerous, pressing, and very annoying often.  The old linen baby coat was understood by me at first sight, & my remark was simply intended to plague you.  It has been very useful.  It is to be regretted that I did not write you sooner in regard to my account with Shaw & Doherty.  The amount of the bill seems very large, but it may be all correct, except as to the extravagant prices.  When I return will look into it more carefully.  It may be well enough however that it is settled.  Would prefer not to be in debt any where.

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The approach of the Yankees to Jackson from Ship Island need not be apprehended.  The route is not a practicable one.  But I am glad to hear you say they would not find you there to receive them.  In that event the valiant-Home Guard will be called into requisition, and can render themselves useful, and no doubt would.  Yankee threats amount to but little.  For the last three months or more they have been threatening to annihilate our army on the Potomac, but they have scarcely moved from their intrenchments & dare not.  They were to move forward on the 15^th inst[ant], but postponed it to the 25^th, and after that I presume it will be prolonged indefinitely.  We wish they would come – are prepared to give them a warm reception.  Your arrangements for supply of meat &c. for the year is a most excellent one, and meets my full approbation.  Pay Pa the full market price for pork as his proposition is exceedingly generous.  The meat you have, and arranged for, with plenty of Molasses and cornmeal will amply feed the negroes.  And then the potatoes.

How happy it makes me, dear wife, to know that I am loved and thought of by my children as well as by yourself.  In this I am favored and blessed as in other relations of life.  Tell Whitfield not to be impatient, that his Father will write go him again soon, as well as to Jefferson.  To my dear Lucy I must also write something, whether she can read it or not.  To-morrow or next day, I shall look for another from you.  I have written much in this sheet, and said but little – what you don’t wish to read, consider as blank. And save yourself the trouble, as I do frequently with these in which I feel no interest from seeing the name subscribed.  I am indebted to a Mr. J.D. Weil for sending me the Mississippian.  Should you meet him my thanks.  It is late at night and snowing – ground covered again.  Remember me kindly to all, and kiss the babies.  My military family all well.  Have not written half what I wanted to say.   May God bless you all and shield you from harm and danger is the fervent prayer of Your affectionate husband, R. Griffith.”

[Postscript, penned upside-down in the upper margin of Page 1]

"The enclosed dollar is for any negro you may see proper to give it – unless such has already received one.  I will send Whitty one to give away, and also Lucy.  Kiss Lucy often for me."

Accompanied by the 3 ½” x 6” transmittal envelope, addressed by Griffith to his wife, “Mrs. Gen[era]l R. Griffith, Care Col[onel] J.D. Stewart, Jackson, Mississippi,” with a Leesburg, Virginia postmark and two five-cent Confederate postage stamps affixed at upper left.

The letter is in excellent condition and highly legible, with light toning and the expected folds; there is heavier wear and soiling, a few small tears, at the edges of the transmittal envelope.

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed – from the site of the “Palmyra Massacre”

 Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ¼” x 9 ¼”, from the northeastern Missouri post most dubiously remembered for the Palmyra Massacre of later in the year, concerning the conveyance of prisoners to the provost marshal in St. Louis.  

"Head Quarters, Palmyra, M[iss]o[uri], 9^th January – 1862. 

Lieut[enant] Charles Knowles;

You are hereby ordered to take the members of Co[mpany]s C.D.F.G. & H. now in Palmyra, and take them as an escort to the prisoners, that will be entrusted to Your Charge.  Go to St. Louis via Hudson & N.M. Rail Road.  They will take their equipments & 3 days cooked rations in their Haversacks.

When You shall have delivered your prisoners into the hands of the Provost  Martial [sic] of St. Louis, You will march the men to the Depot of the Pacific R[ail] Road & by the first train send the men to join their Co[mpany]s at the town of Syracuse, there reporting to Lieut[enant] Col[onel] Gildbert, You will return without delay to your Co[mpany] here. 

John Groesbeck, Col[onel] Comm[an]d[in]g Post.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with the expected folds.

Signature, as U.S. Senator, “Benj. Harrison, Ind[ian]a,” on a 5 ½” x 8 ¼” album page, above the signature of Daniel W. Voorhees, Harrison’s Indiana colleague in the U.S. Senate; the large signature of U.S. Senator John A. Logan, Union general from Illinois during the American Civil War, is on the reverse.

Excellent, with light, even toning and a few superficial stains and light surface creases.

Civil War-Date Signature

Signature, with rank in another hand, “William Hays, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l & A[ssistant] P[rovost] M[arshal] Gen[eral],” on a 1” x 3 ½” slip of paper, removed from a larger letter; affixed to larger backing.

General staining and wear throughout; there is a diagonal tear, with no loss of paper, through a portion of the signature.

Signed Card, 1 ¾” x 3 ¾”, bevel-edged, “W.B. Hazen, Br[i]g[adier] & B[re]v[e]t Maj[or] Gen[era]l, Chief Signal Officer U.S.A.”

Rectangular area of uneven toning from past framing surrounds the signature, along with general wear and soiling throughout; surface abrasion at the lower right; old mounting traces on the reverse.

Civil War-Date Endorsement Signed – Just six weeks before Hill’s death at the Battle of Petersburg

War-Date Endorsement Signed, on a 3 ¾” x 7” portion from the reverse of a medical furlough document.  Signed beneath by an adjutant, and on the reverse by two surgeons and 47^th North Carolina Infantry Sergeant Joseph Young Moss.

“H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs 3^rd Army Corps, Feb[ruar]y 17, 1865.  Res[pectfully] forwarded approved, A.P. Hill, Lieutenant Gen[era]l.”

A.P Hill was killed-in-action at the Battle of Petersburg, Virginia just six weeks after the signing of this endorsement.  Modern records indicate that Sergeant Moss was wounded and captured during the Battle of Gettysburg, later exchanged, and was again captured on the day of Hill’s death at Sutherland’s Station, Virginia.

On the medium-brown paper often used by the Confederates, thus a bit lacking in contrast, with the expected light fold creases.

Signature, with sentiment, “Yours Truly, J.B. Hood,” on a 2 ¼” x 4 ½” slip of paper.

A large, exceptional example.

Civil War-Date Signature & Rank

Signature, with sentiment and early-war rank, “Yours Sincerely, Joseph Hooker, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l,” on a 2” x 3 ¼” slip of lined paper, affixed to heavier backing of the same dimension.

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor wear and staining; portions affected by brushing and bleeding of ink, along with surface abrasion.

Signature, as U.S. Congressman, “Eppa Hunton, Warrenton, V[irgini]a,” on a 2” x 5” portion of an album page.

Excellent.

War-Date Letter Signed – City Point, Virginia, September 1864 – Bills of Lading for the “Steamer Charlotte Vanderbilt.”

Civil War-Date Letter Signed, on an imprinted 7 ½” x 9 ½” form.  Partly printed, with the manuscript portions also being accomplished by James.

“Assistant Quartermaster’s Office, Fort Monroe, V[irgini]a, Sept[ember] 26th 1864.  Captain Col[onel] P.P. Pilkin, A[ssistant] Q[uarter] M[aster] City Point, Va.  Col[onel], I have the honor to enclose herewith, duplicate Bills of Lading for Public Stores, shipped this day per Steamer Charlotte Vanderbilt.  Please endorse and return one at your earliest convenience.  Very respectfully Your Ob[e]d[ien]t Servant, Wm. L. James, Capt[ain] and A[ssistant] Q[uarter] M[aster].”

Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds; there is a small tear, with minor paper loss, in the upper left corner.

Signed Gilt-Edged Card, 1 ¼” x 3 ½”, “J.E. Johnston.”  Affixed to a 4” x 6 ¾” album page, with the violet-ink notation, “January/[18]82” in another hand at lower left.  An unrelated clipping in an unidentified hand and from a larger document or letter is affixed at lower right.

Excellent.

Mexican War-Date Signature & Rank

Signature & Rank, “P. Kearny, Jr., L[ieutenan]t 1^st Dr[agoon]s Com[man]d[ing]…” on a 1 ½” x 5” slip of paper; a portion of the document from which Kearny’s signature was removed is included, and bears the manuscript heading, in an unknown hand, “Date. 31^st December 1846.  Station. Saltillo, (Mexico).”

Minor wear and staining, with two pinholes at the left edge of the dated slip of paper.

Document Signed, Richmond, Virginia, February 6, 1886, “J.L. Kemper,” a partly printed 2 ½” x 8” check, also accomplished by Kemper, payable to “Cha[rle]s J. Kemper,” thus incorporating a second partial signature; drawn on The State Bank of Virginia for one hundred dollars.  The reverse is endorsed by Charles J. Kemper.

Very good overall, with light vertical fold creases; minimal loss of paper from barely noticeable cross-cut and punch cancellations which intersect Kemper’s signature.

Signature, “L.Q.C. Lamar,” with the notation “Sec[retary] of Interior” in an unknown hand, on the reverse of his engraved 1 ¾” x 3 ½” personal calling card.

Excellent, with light, even toning and a few superficial stains.

A Requisition for Hampton’s Legion

Civil War-Date Document Signed, 8” x 11”, Petersburg, Virginia, August 31, 1863, “Approved, T.M. Logan, L[ieutenan]t Col[on el] Com[man]d[in]g Reg[imen]t,” a partly printed requisition “For Quartermaster’s Stores for Hampton Legion, Stationed at Petersburg, V[irgini]a.”

On the brown “necessity paper” commonly used by the Confederate Army at the time, with several minor stains throughout; small tears and chips at the right edges.  While manuscript portions are somewhat light, Logan’s endorsement, at left center, is quite legible.

Signature, with sentiment, “Respect[full]y Your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t,” on a 1 ½” x 5 ½” slip of lined paper, possibly removed from a letter.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a vertical fold at mid left.

War-Date Autograph Letter Signed – to Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard

Autograph Letter Signed, on a 5” x 8” folded lettersheet, with exceptional early-war content, to General P.G.T. Beauregard, commander of the Confederate Army at Manassas, Virginia.  As newly commissioned major general, Longstreet informs and seeks Beauregard’s direction in the placement of “blackened logs,” commonly referred to as “Quaker Guns” at the time, designed to deceive the Union Army into believing that they faced the heavy artillery of a well-equipped foe on the banks of the Potomac.                                                                                                             

“Taylors, Dec[ember] 6^th 1861.  My Dear General, But two of the Redoubts have been set apart for the batteries of my Division.  I have ordered sheds over the embrasures of these and blackened logs put in there; no others.  If you desire me to have others fixed please advise me.  Very Sincerely Yours, J. Longstreet.  [to] Gen[eral] G.T. Beauregard.”

Beauregard makes initialed notation, in pencil, at the bottom edge:

“Ans[wer].  Arrange all to be garrisoned by the 2^nd Division.  G.T.B.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature, with the rank held from June 11, 1851 through the outbreak of the American Civil War, “N. Lyon, Capt[ain], 2^nd Inf[antr]y, Com[mandin]g Comp[an]y ‘B’”, on a 3” x 4 ¼” slip of lined paper.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few superficial stains; old mounting traces on the reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, requesting a cask of wine be sent to Fort Independence, Massachusetts. 

“Boston, 5^th July, 1849.  Major Wm. D. Fraser, U.S. Corps Engineers, N[ew] Y[ork].  D[ea]r Sir, I will thank you to forward to this place by first packet convenient one cask Gaudron for the service of Fort Independence.  Gaugeret & his Assistant joined me from St.[?] Newton on the morning of the 3^rd July.  Very Respectfully, Your Ob[edien]t Jos. K.F. Mansfield, Capt[ain]…& B[re]v[e]t Col[onel].’’

Overall condition is very good, with heavier wear and toning at the usual vertical and horizontal folds.

Signed Card, 1 ¾” x 3 ½”, with Confederate rank, “Will T. Martin, Maj[or] Gen[era]l Cav[alry], Wheeler’s Corps, C.S.A.”

Lightly toned, with minor staining and a few surface abrasions and indentations; old mounting remnants on the reverse and minor bumping at the corners.