Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A good war-date Confederate officer's letter with postal cover, 4pp., 4to, written by Major Philip H. Powers, 1st Virginia Cavalry, "New Kent (VA), May 15 1862," in part: "I received yesterday a letter from Sis Frances enclosing one from you to her and asking me to write to you to return to Richmond. I cannot advise it. The people of R. I understand are in utter consternation at the approach of the Yankees and I believe the city will ultimately fall…My spirits are broken…the incessant worry…will…drive me to desperation. To you I still say remain in Staunton if you can…I detest this war. Curse its originators…Our cavalry service has got to be odious. Continually in the rear of our army we have to subsist by plundering and stealing and many a home has been made desolate by the approach of Stuart's Cavalry. The standing order is: impress everything that may fall into the enemy's hands. And thus we march. With the wailing of women and children constantly ringing in our ears…I am changed. I cannot write cheerfully when everything looks so dark and hopeless. We are still some 24 miles from Richmond daily expecting a great battle to come off. Every day the pickets dash in saying the enemy is advancing but they come not…Our troop are generally in good spirits but suffering from many privations and hardships. Half rations and no tents…My quarters are in a deserted house where I can have a fire and a bed-stead without a mattress to sleep on. My body does not suffer. I have an excellent servant to wait on me…I think the Valley will be cleared of the enemy before long and you will be able to get home…" The stamp is mostly removed from the cover, else VG overall.
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.