A Dairing Exploit

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

Autograph Memorandum Signed, “Alex Fleet” 2nd Lt. 26th Virginia Infantry, 4p. octavo, c. 1880, titled “A Daring Exploit”, and reads in part: “...It was in May 1864, when, as Genl. Grant was changing his base of operations from Spottsylvania to McClellan’s old position at Cold Harbor, Burnside’s Corps, making its way towards Richmond, had just crossed the Mattaponi river at Dunkill Ferry. A small scouting party of Confederates consisting of seven members of the Conscript guard and two members, private Lipscomb & Lewis of the 9th Va. Cavalry, following the track of the federals and wathcing their movements, came in sight of the remnant of the rear guard,...As the party of Confederates came in sight, they found that the Federals were lounging about the house of the ferrymen...After observing the condition of things, one party of Confederates determined to make a charge and capture or scare the Yankees...No sooner said than done - Private Lipscomb promptly taking his position in front of his companions & crying ‘come on boys’...giving the Confederate yell...he made straight to the front door of the house & firing the contents of his pistol at the Yankees who were quietly sitting within, summoned them to immediately surrender -But instead the enemy...beat a hasty retreat out at the back door...They had thought only, it seems of saving themselves & had left horses, arms & accouteremnts at the mercy of the attacking foe. But what was private Lipscombs surprise to find, on looking back, that he had made the charge entirely alone, and unsupported, had routed twenty-five or thirty of the enemy...” VG.

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