Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Great war-date Confederate soldier's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Corp. Alexander Porter Morse, Co. I (Morgan Rangers), 1st Louisiana Cavalry, "Camp Minor near Russellville, Ky., January 30, 1862" to his mother Margaretta S. Morse (Wederstrandt), in part: "Our camp…has again been changed; we moved here from Bowling Green last Tuesday. We were ordered here with a division of some ten thousand or twelve thousand men, infantry, artillery & cavalry under Gen. Buckner, but subsequently transferred to Gen. Floyd's brigade to which we are…attached…we were destined for Green River district to attack Crittenden's command at Calhoun…we are here now…we will remain here until this point is thoroughly fortified. This will prove a source of regret to us. Our regiment has not had an opportunity of proving its claim to gallantry & chivalry…& Louisiana honor. We know this and feel that our attachment to a brigade has…curtailed our opportunities…I forget…to mention an expedition we made into the enemy's country since my last writing. Four companies of our regiment among which was ours were ordered to report to Col. Scott in two hours, armed & equipped. We reported at three o'clock in the evening & marched to this place just twenty nine miles of the worst road you ever traveled…reaching Greenville about three o'clock of a raw cold morning…one poor fellow was nearly frozen on his horse; his feet were frost bitten & he was so numbed that he fell from his horse. By the application of some warm water & brandy he at length came too. The object of our night march was to elude the vigilance of friends & foes…next morning we moved out from Greenville…& intended to proceed on to Carrolton situated on Green River and attack them…we were some two hundred & fifty men all told. We therefore threw out a party of scouts for observation. We were now…only five miles from the Yankees & their camp at Carrolton. The scouts returned in a few hours, reported the enemy two thousand strong and waiting [with] one thousand cavalry with which to meet us & surround us. Our pickets had been thrown out & I was Sergeant of the guard…sent out to draw in the pickets. They had already been ordered in…[I] got within a quarter of a mile of the Yankees…we plainly heard their drums beating roll call* [see Morse's sequal]…remember me to Uncle Johnny, Nathan & all at home. Your devoted son, A. P. Morse…I wish Malcolm could come on. He might get a position in our regiment. Yours, A. P. M." Here is his mother's addition on the bottom of page three, in part: "Sequel as related to me by Lieut. Halsey: Porter's companion in this adventure was an excellent & very intelligent man named Lyons…the adjutant said to Porter, "if you don't get back in time with the men to join the rear guard follow us in haste to Elkton. Col. Scott to delude the enemy had given out that that was his destination as he learned they were aware of his proximity…when Porter & Lyons got within hearing distance of the enemy they concluded their picket must have been captured & thought it was time to make their way out of the Federal's reach…they turned about with hot speed [&] made their way over rough roads& in the dark…towards Elkton…where they found the command who had given them up for lost. Halsey said he never felt so bad in his life. They were greeted with cheers & congratulations…". On the verso she adds, in full: "File away all these letters of Porter's. They will be interesting to refer to in the future and valuable to me if he should never come back." Entirely traced over in ink by Porter, else VG.
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