Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
Polley, Joseph B (1840–1918), Confederate soldier and writer. In 1861 Polley graduated from Florence Wesleyan University at Florence, Alabama, and returned to Texas to enlist in Company F of the Fourth Texas Infantry, one of the regiments of the famed Hood's Texas Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. Polley served through almost all of the major battles of the brigade, received a head wound at the battle of Gaines Mills in 1862, and lost his right foot at the battle of Darbytown Road near Richmond on October 7, 1864. s memoir of his army service, Hood's Texas Brigade (1910), is considered one of the classics of Civil War literature. Autograph Letter Signed, “J.B. Polley” to his father, May 12, 1863, Frederick Hall, 4pp., VG. In part, “About the 1st of this month Hooker’s grand army was badly beaten by our hero Lee. But our victory cost us a man whose equal we may never find – “Stonewall” Jackson. He was only slightly wounded – the immediate cause of his death being pneumonia. The moral effect which this will have on both armies will be great and very hard to counteract. Our army is much depressed, while the Yankees will be encouraged to a like degree. ... The section of country I was in bordered on the Dismal Swamp. The land was low and sandy miserable poor…. Before the war every one down there had plenty of Negros but the Yankees have carried nearly all of them away. Those that are left are too old to be of use....Immediately after the battle Longstreet who was in command of the two Divisions at Suffolk received orders to march within support distance of Lee. Hence I presume we are here. The night that we fell back the Texas Brigade marched twenty-two miles without a halt. This was the harder on them since their duty at Suffolk had been so constant. ... We had an election day before yesterday to fill the vacancy occasioned by Hughe’s resignation. Reuben Cugler whom perhaps you knew in San Antonio was elected. He is an excellent man but will make a poor officer in my opinion. Brahan is now 1st Lieutenant. Eli Park 2nd and Kindred our Captain… not a single one of our original officers is left to us. ...”
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