Capt. Trenholm & Col. Rutledge "Could Never Hitch Horses".

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015

A rare war-date South Carolina soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Henry F. Whitney, a member of Capt. William L. Trenholm's Rutledge South Carolina Cavalry Battalion, "Camp R. M. R. & H. A., (Rutledge's Mounted Riflemen & Heavy Artillery), Coosanhatchie, S. C., Dec. 7, 1863" to his former comrade Virgil C. Dibble, in part: "…we moved down to this place (that is our section of artillery) on the 15th of last month. Co. A moved about two weeks before & Co. B some two or three weeks after. The reason we were so long in moving was on account of our having to build log-houses. We chartered a lot of cars and moved our baggage by R. Road…I never saw so much plunder as we had…our squadron had more baggage than a corp of the Army of Virginia. We were sent from Pocotaligo…through the wished of Capt. Trenholm; because he & Col. Rutledge could never 'hitch horse'…and also because here at Coosawhatchie he has command of the Post. He has his Hd. Quarters about a mile from our camp in an unoccupied dwelling house. He has his adjutant and private secretary staying with him…we never see him…I am not pleased with the move from Pocotaligo to this place. I had been stationed there so long that I became attached to the place and also formed a great many very pleasant acquaintances amongst the fair sex. I have several in Gillisonville, the county seat of this district…it has a court-house, jail, hotel, 3 stores and numerous private residences…we, i. e., four of the old Zouaves occupy a log-house about 12 by 14 feet…and have a chimney attached which makes it quite comfortable…I congratulate you on your promotion. [Sgt. Major of the 5th South Carolina Cavalry] It is quite a nice position…I still hold the honorable position of a private…Willie Welch is 2nd Sergt, Havey is 1st Corp. and both are attached to our sect. of horse artillery…your sincere friend, Henry F. W.". The original stamped (one of two) transmittal cover addressed: "Virgil C. Dibble, Esq. "South Carolina Rangers" Unionville, S. C." is included. Near fine.

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