Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Confederate officer's letter, 6pp. 4to., written by Lt. Alexander Porter Morse, CSA Ordnance Department, Mississippi City, Miss., November 9, 1864, to brother Capt. Charles Nathan Morse who was also a Confederate staff officer, in part: "…I have had many narrow escapes…since this cruel war began…did not end with last fall's campaign on the coast of North Carolina or in the bayou of Louisiana…I was transferred from the region of rosin heels and turpentine to the land of the oranges and citron…on our way from Mobile we had little difficulty in losing the road at almost every turn and missing every fork. At one time we were en route to Pascagoula & in endeavoring to re-take the Miss. City Road we made a bee line for Mobile, but were fortunately halted by some opportune friend in our head long course to the city [that] we were making such gigantic efforts to leave…we found ourselves on the banks of the Pascagoula river. The gates of heaven were opened…the horn had been sounded for the ferry and our ebony charon was seen in the watery distance plying the oar "right manfully" when the sound of many horsemen in the rear attracted our attention never having dreamed…that a blast upon our horn would summons…troopers to our presence…imagine…our surprise at the sight of twenty seven Yankee cavalry, armed "cap-a pie" and in a group…twenty yards distance. By the time our boat was tied to the bank and our buggies & horses driven aboard, cut loose & started for the other bank. Strange to say our cavalry friends made no attempt to halt or question us. [They] remained…only hollering to the ferryman to "hurry back" and sounding our horn. All the time the rain continued to fall in torrents deadening all sound and casting a heavy fog on all around. This together with our perfect coolness must alone have saved us…we moved not or spoke not…& remained in our buggies until we reached the west bank. Winston had driven on ahead of me and had not for a moment suspected them to be Yankees…we then drove in a gallop from the ferry to the house about 1/2 mile distant, stopped, turned over our buggy & worldly goods to the lady of the house, mounted our horse & were off in hot haste…I adapted Campbell to my sable ferryman in crossing the Pascagoula, "Oh haste thee, haste the soldier cries. Oh nigger do not tarry…I give thee dollars in Confed to row me o'er this ferry". All this took place between twelve and one o'clock Saturday…we sought safety in an almost impassable thicket…we remained during a heavy rain and cold wind until twilight when we emerged from our fortress and made a reconnoissance in the distance of the house where we had left "our all". By a beautiful system of flank movements…we got within easy range…I threw myself forward as a scout on the road to the back gate while Capt. Winston as No. 5 in cavalry (i. e. horse holder) was on the spring road…just as night was approaching…I spied two of the garrison (non-combatants)…I had no trouble gaining all the desired information. The enemy had crossed immediately after us, [but] were apparently in search of other game & had gone up to a point twenty miles above…I then drew in Capt. Winston…we soon found ourselves inside…beside a huge fire…one good drink, a beautiful supper form Cousin Gracie's basket…made us once more ready for the fray…last Tuesday morning…we were awakened by the startling intelligence that there were two hundred Yankees in Handboro. (A little town two miles from Mr. Glenn's), two gunboats had come up at daylight, landed their force, captured Maj. Strong & several other officers. We jumped out of our beds into our clothes & ran for our horses…we described a straight line of seven lines in a very short time. They remained in town all day & left at dark. The next morning we returned to "Glenbury", but keep a vigilant picket always…and will do so until we start westwards…I found Genl. [James Patrick] Major just recovering from a very severe attack. He is now well but much reduced. Mrs. Glenn gave the young ladies a dinner on Saturday last and we had a very pleasant time…we had our hands full…Eugene…was captured in the last raid to Clinton & we hear he is now at Ship Island…I will write as soon as I reach Alexandria…as I write I see the Old Tennessee rocking in the waters near Ship Island. Your brother Porter". Light toning, else VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.