Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A great South Carolina home front letter, 4pp. 4to., written by the parents of Thomas E. James, Anderson District, South Carolina, Jan. 21, 1864 concerning marauding slave patrols (known locally as the Rangers) who are called to serve in the Confederate army, in small part: "…the rangers is out both day & night…last Saturday the[y] caught Bud Johnson & took him to jail. On Friday night they caught Southeron [a runaway slave] & he got loose & on Saturday they was hunting…him again. It is hot times here now. Saturday I was at Mrs. Rebecca Rivers. They was 14 hundred soldiers come by there. They killed her cow & old Mrs. Blasen good bull too [&] took them off for I saw them do it. They paid her one 100 & 7 dollars for her cow & for the bull they paid one 100 & 23 dollars…they are stationed…one mile above Greenville. They said Saturday night they was 14 hundred more came up on the train. Today there was 1000 more to come. They were from Chattanooga & Dalton again to Virginia. They had two pieces of artillery & 6 baggage wagons…Rese Bowen [possibly Pvt. Reece Bowen 6th South Carolina Cavalry] has got orders…to start to the army…good for it & John Sitter & all of them but I am thankful that Rease has to go. That is good news to write…I am afraid they wont take him…the other night…the rangers stayed all night with [?] & next morning they went to let their company know it. While they was gone he got out of the way. They come back to get him…Wouten tell where he was & they dragged her [him] all over the old field…Paw went to Greenville to get [the] law…but Paw couldn't find any…it is [s]candalous to hear how they do behave…they do like Bill Orr & O'Neal [did] when they were here. They went to McNealy's & behaved very scandalous…if it had been me. I would of shot him certain & sure…no gentleman [would] do such…rascals & rogue will do just that way & I hope they will be overtaken…they will meet up with their match soon…I will be glad of it, but if they have got any use for them…in the army, they had better keep them for if they don't & send them here, some one…will kill them. So if they want them…they had better keep them…Nancy started the 15…to Barnwell &…to Dalton to the boys…tell Miles that [the] old mare he let Rodgers have…is dead…". This is a first for us and we are pleased to offer this letter which gives a first hand look at home front guerrilla warfare by those who choose not to serve in the Confederate army until they were forced to. VG to near fine.
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