12th Virginia Infantry Letter

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

Autograph Letter Signed, “Wm. T. Morgan” 4p. octavo, July, 1861, Petersburg, Virginia, addressed to his Uncle “Col. F[letcher] H. Archer, C.S.A.”, a member of the 3rd Virginia Infantry. William Thomas Morgan (1840-?) was mustered into Company E of the 12th Virginia Infantry on April 2, 1862. He was WIA at Crampton’s Gap on September 14, 1862, where he was wounded in his right hand, and right leg where he was hit and had a bone broken by a minie ball. The injury to his hand would require amputation of a finger. He later worked in the office of the Confederate Medical Director, Army of Northern Virginia, at Lee’s Headquarters. He was paroled at Appomattox. This letter reads in part: “...Our company the ‘Cockade Cadets’ was organized to night, and I have been elected to the distinguished post of ‘high private’, I ran for the 3d Lieutcy, 1st, 2d, 3d, &4th, Sergcy, and was beaten in every instance, the reason of the whole was the falsity of an influential friend. Well now am I to enter the army of the C.S. to serve as a private for 3 years? With my health? I must tell you the company has determined to enter the Regular Army...unless I can get some good excuse for resigning my membership and I now write to you uncle Fletcher to try and get that excuse, is there any position within your [?]...I commenced the raising of this company myself and put down my own name unconditionally, consequently I cannot resign honorably, unless I get a better position some where else. I am the more urgent in this request upon you Uncle Fletcher from the fact that the company may be mustered into service in a few days....I have been diligently studying and had I been elected to the 3d Lieutcy in the ‘Cockade Cadets’ I think I would have been qualified to fill the office. I would not have you think however Uncle Flethcer, that I am not willing to serve my country even in the most humble capacity. I only wish a better position (I speak truly) for the sake of my health...” 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).