Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
A good Confederate soldier's war-date letter, 2pp. oblong 8vo., written by Pvt. Ambrose M. Hite, Co. H (Page Grays), 33rd Virginia Infantry [POW Spotsylvania May 12, 1864], "Camp Winder, Caroline Co., Va., March 4, 1863", in part: "…William Pence was shot last Saturday. Part of our company had to shot him. There was 16 of our boys had to shoot him. I was one of them that had to shoot him, David [WIA 2nd Manassas & POW Gettysburg]and John P. Hite [MWIA Gettysburg] also had a hand in killing him. The balance of the boys name I shall not mention. There were twelve guns loaded and four had blank cartridges in so we did not know who shot him. The guns were loaded for us, so we did not know who had the blank loads. Andrew J. Knight broke guard a couple days before he was to be shot. I suppose he is making his way to the Yankys as fast as he can. Daniel Burriher was to be shot today at twelve o'clock, but we got the news from the president that he was reprieved. The news come by telegraph so the news reach Burriher about twelve o'clock last night which relieved Mr. Burriher very much. He is now with the company. I would rather for you not to say anything…that I had a hand shooting Pence. Harrison Pence started home yesterday with his brother. I and Ed Rothgeb help him to Guiney station with the corpse…". The original transmittal cover is included. William Pence deserted from his Stonewall Brigade regiment at Elk Run, Virginia on April 20, 1862. He either was caught or returned to the regiment on his own accord, but was executed for the crime just days after celebrating his seventh wedding anniversary on Feb, 28, 1863. Pence was scheduled to be executed with several other men, but a controversy developed over poorly prepared paperwork and the fact that all these men were from Page County. As a compromise was reached and each man drew straws to see who the unlucky man would be. It is recorded that the unlucky Pence was nearly inconsolable at the time of his death and had to be placed against a stake so as not to fall over before being shot! The Civil War data base has a detailed account of the event. As is typical with the Civil War soldier, Hite almost seems indifferent to the event. Overall VG
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