Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
A great war-date new Southern volunteer's letter, 4pp. legal folio, written by Corp. Alexander Porter Morse, Co. I (Morgan Rangers), 1st Louisiana Cavalry, "Camp Morgan, St. Coupee, La., October 16, 1861" to his mother Margaretta S. Morse (Wederstrandt), in part: "We have just returned from a cavalry drill of two hours…we rise about half past five, dress and wash, then to the stable, water, clean and feed our horses…after breakfast…the sergeant commands "Form ranks". We fall in and have a drill on foot…when you will hear the cry "saddle up"; this causes a rush to the stable, horse are bridled and saddled with as much haste as if there was a prospect of having a brush with the Yankees…ranks are then formed. The drill master (who went through the Mexican War with Col. Johnson's division) takes his stand and commences to put us right through in true military style…everything I have yet seen of this service I like…unless the Regimental Quartermaster is very speedy in completing the equipment of our regiment, we will lie here drilling until the war is ended…the officers, though lacking military experience are good men and…are all brave…the Morgan Rangers will fight well…Rainey has gone down to Baton Rouge…Capt. Le Jeune also took the boat this morning for New Orleans. He goes down to procure hats and purchase cloth for uniforms…the Lizzie Simmons stopped at our landing, put out the Capt. with some recruits…if Malcolm send my canvass shoes to the city, you might forward them to me…Friday morning Oct. 18th 1861…in reference to [my slave] Butler you and Pa must take any action you deem proper. I do not know but that it will be as well…to accept Mr. Rice's offer…I will endorse it whatever it may be…with my new bridle and army saddle I am very handsomely mounted and my steed having been in service understands the commands…we learned yesterday that McClellan has crossed the Chain Bridge with a hundred thousand men. I hope it is true…the ladies of the neighborhood are preparing a flag which they design to present to us shortly and we are looking with pleasure to the good day a coming. Our tents standing in two rows are separated by a pathway which we call Camp St…tent Claibourne [in which your young hopeful has his headquarters] is at the intersection of Camp and Liberty Sts.; One canvass covered domicile is called "Manassas", another "Ranger's Home", a third "Fair Play", (doubtless indicative of the chance the residents are not going to give the Yankees); a fourth "Hotel St. Charles"…last night we had some fine vocal music and a young man living in the Parish has promised to bring his guitar…love to all at home. Yours, A. P. Morse". Dr. Snell sent me word he was going to run for surgeon of our regiment…knowing him to be a good physician and certain he will be attentive to me. I hope he will succeed." VG
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