Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Confederate officer's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Lt. Alexander Porter Morse, CSA Ordnance Department, "Westwood", near Woodville, Miss., November 28, 1864, to his mother Margaretta S. Morse (Wederstrandt), in part: "…by reference to the dates of my first letters to you from this side of the Miss. you will perceive that we have been over here nearly three months. Gen. [James Patrick] Major's illness and the Yankee raiders were the chief cause of our delay. During the last raid the Yankees made through this section of country. Gen. Major, Capt. Winston and myself were between Franklinton La. and Camp Moore and we were fortunate enough to meet some of our dismounted soldiers near the last named place who gave us the news and warned…of the danger of proceeding by that route we accordingly…right about at [the] double quick and returned to the neighborhood of Pearl river to wait…for something to turn up although in a constant state of anxiety. We were very comfortably fixed…by our generous…host Mr. Magee…Nathan will have informed you of another narrow escape Capt. Winston and myself made from capture while crossing the Pascagoula river when en route from Mobile to Miss City. This brings me to Eugene Holmes' case, (you will remember he was a prisoner with us in New Orleans.) He was serving in the district as captain of a battery and was captured near this place about two months ago. He was on a steamboat going up the river when the boat struck a snag above Island [No.] 10…great confusion followed when he and ten of his men jumped overboard and escaped. He returned here [and] was captured by the raiders from Baton Rouge and escaped again…how are my old friends the McWilliams…sent a few lines to Miss. Lizzie…I am anxious to return to West La…I hope to write to you from Alexandria…I met Miss. Eliza Greenwood while in Mobile and liked her very much, not pretty, but very mild and winning…and very natural. The young man (Lieut. Carver) to whom she was engaged was severely wounded in a drunken frolic and…since died; better for her if it is true…Dr. O'Neil is doing very well as surgeon of the 16th Miss. in Virginia and…Col. Jack Sims was killed lately in Virginia. [Col. John Sims 21st Miss. Vols. KIA Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864] I am hurried and my party is waiting on me. Capt. Zacharie is with Maj. Howard & has probably crossed the river…believe me yr affect. son, Porter". VG
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