Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A great early Civil War Confederate officer's letter written by former United States President James Knox Polk's only son Marshall Tate Polk, Jr. (1831-1884). Marshall was born one month after his biological father died. Fatherless, the baby boy was adopted and raised by James Polk. Marshall graduated WestPoint in 1852 and at the outbreak of the Civil War became commander of Company G of the Artillery Corps of Tennessee. As captain the battery became known as Polk's Tennessee Light Artillery Company. The battery reported for duty at the front at Columbus, Kentucky on September 7, 1861 and saw their first combat during the battle of Belmont in November. Our letter was written almost midway between that battle and their arriving at the front and gives a good description of life at the front at that time. Marshall went on to command the battery at Shiloh where he was wounded, captured and had his leg amputated while a POW. Later in the war he became an officer on Leondias Polk's staff and Aberdeen, Miss. district commander. In the 1870's he was elected Tennessee state treasurer, but was charged with embezzlement. He died at age 53 and was buried in Polk Cemetery, Bolivar, Tenn. in 1884. This historic letter is, 4pp. folio, signed "MARSHALL T. POLK", datelined, Columbus, Ky., Oct. 10, 1861 and was written to James Polk's friend, John H. Bills (1800-1871) a prominent Tennessee merchant, plantation owner and Freemason, reading, in small part: "…if Bill is anxious for a fight I'll back Knox against Johnny & he may thrown in a little negro to keep Knox busy…I am fully convinced that I ought not to farm in Tennessee & I am desirous of going to La. or Ark. My farm will be in the hands of inexperienced men…I have thought of sending the negroes (except Bob & Jesse) down to Horace if he has land enough open at the end of the year…Bob & Jesse can cut & haul wood, raise corn…to support themselves…& make 4 or 500 dollars a year besides. This is my plan whether it will meet your approbation…Col. Neely's is a bad case & unless the officers preferring the charges consent to withdraw them he must resign or be dismissed. I gave your…letter to the general. He read them & expressed great regret at the circumstances but it is out of his power to interfere…the officers in the Col's own regiment may not press the charges & I hope they will not…it is all mystery as to what our movements will be, no one knows but headquarters & they keep mum. A regiment leaves…for Mobile & stop…up in Kentucky…we will be moved forward towards Paducah, thence to Louisville…I will give you due notice when we are to move…we have a good deal of sickness in my camp, some serious cases, but very few. Young Richardson, Parson Walker's nephew is I consider quite ill…please inform Parson Walker by a note…we have him in a house in the country…William Caruthers is quite sick…but I have very little hope that General Pillow will sign his furlough…do if you can find one in town…Knox a drum & let him beat it…we have our camp on the hill near the railroad. We are the last camp out that way. The number of men here must be very large, every hill & hollow is full of them…7 or 8 regiments down in the bottom & 3 or 4 more on the opposite side of the river. We are a large army, give us a chance & without boasting…we can whip equal numbers of any people, but we are in a great measure undisciplined…in those habits of obedience…& respect towards those in office…this extends through the whole army. I believe my company mind their officers better…than any other in the service…our fortifications…are nearly completed & extend from the fairground bluff nearly to the railroad. All the trees have been cut down so as to give a clean sweep all round for the heavy guns …our soldiers are working here like good fellows…". VG to near fine.
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