July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
Battle of First Bull Run South Carolina Officer's Letter A great war-date Confederate officer's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Lt. Leonard Williams, 2nd South Carolina Cavalry, "Junction, Hanover County, Va., 8 miles above Ashland, [July 24, 1861]", on the battle of First Bull Run, in part: "...the cavalry of the Legion moved yesterday morning from Ashland . Myself, Maj. Norwood and Absalom Blythe…were permitted to go by rail…but the cars were so full we could not get on…we will be at Manassas tomorrow evening…the times are pregnant with stirring events. A whole train of prisoners just passerby to be taken to Richmond. I talked to a good many of them & gave them all the tobacco I had…they looked mostly dispirited & generally an inferior sort of men…I asked them why they were making war upon us? I told them we simply wished to govern ourselves & wished them to do as they pleased. Some said it was very fair another said a country or city might secede if the doctrine of secession was sound. None of them seemed to understand any other doctrine than that the majority must rule. President Davis also passed down this evening from the battlefield…the Legion suffered terribly. Lt. Col. Johnson was killed and his body was carried down this evening…500 of our men were killed and 1,000 wounded and…4,000 or 5,000of the enemy were killed and a great many taken prisoners…it was a magnificent and glorious victory…there are now 25 soldiers belonging to several different regiments all awaiting…to get away to join their companies. The farmers around here all come in to hear the news…I read an extra giving the northern act [account]. Their statement makes the matter worst with them than we had expected. There is a great gloom over in Washington and…for the first time the Washington papers give a correct account of the fight. Our company had a bad day yesterday…they started in the rain and it rained all day…they had not shelter at night…we will get to the junction one or two days before our company. I was anxious to get there today to learn of my friends who were wounded and killed to give them assistance …I do not apprehend another fight for some time…write to me at Manassas Junction…". The original transmittal leaf with rare "Junction, Va. July 24, '61 Paid 5" postal marking are present. VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.