September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Confederate soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Captain Leonard Williams , 2nd South Carolina Cavalry, 4pp. folio, New Kent County Court House, May 8, 1862, and reads in part: "...My last was written to you from Camp near Williamsburg, on Friday last the 2nd our squadron was ordered to report at Yorktown. Our generals had come to the conclusion that our redoubts & batteries along the York River could not stand against the attacks of the enemy's gun boats & that it was best to yield them without a fight. We were called to assist in covering the retreat of our army...in consequence of an accidental explosion of ammunition just as the last troops were leaving, the evacuation of Yorktown was known to the enemy at once & they therefore took immediate possession & started several regiments in pursuit of our army & also sent up the river (York) one or two Regiments of Cavalry & artillery...we were much annoyed by their artillery of course, their shots were wild not being in sight but their balls whizzed over our heads, just as we got into Williamsburg they planted several pieces of artillery at the extreme end of the open ground & commenced throwing shells at us. Our artillery had been sent for & immediately there commenced a most exciting artillery duel...shortly an order came to the cavalry to charge their battery. Maj Butler hearing the order first took the lead. We had only 72 men in all, the balance of the squad now being away upon various services, Col Davis had 250 or 300 Va Cavalry...we made a circuit away to the left in order to attack the battery on its flank & came right upon a regiment of the enemy's cavalry who perhaps was intending to attack our battery. We came within fifty or sixty yards of them before seeing them, they were in sort of ravine, here we were face to face about 75 on our side fronting some 300 of the enemy & about 5 or 600 a quarter of a mile distant...and order was given to draw pistols & fire, we did so & advanced on them & then an order to charge, we put them to flight & chased them up the hill under cover of their reserve, when we had to retreat...the killed, wounded, & prisoners were between 25 & thirty, we captured & brought from the field 8 horses & several other horses were afterwards taken by the infantry. Our boys got several army pistols & saddles &c. We got their colors & trumpet & killed five horses on the spot. How many men were wounded we did not know..." Much more. Fine condition.
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