Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
A good war-date Confederate field officer's letter, 1 1/2pp. folio, written by Major William H. Seawell 21st Virginia Militia, "Ware Camp", Nov. 26, 1861 addressed to Col. Crump as commander of Gloucester Point, Va., regarding slave patrols and alignment of enlisted soldiers under his jurisdiction, in part: "I have to report "all quiet" with us…no negroes have escaped that I know of since we left Glo. Point. I have kept a commissioned officer nearly all the time in Guiney [Guiney's Station] and about Levern[?] to see to the guards in that region. Armistead's men have not as yet…returned to duty. In the absence of any instructions I have not sent for them…except to far as they may be found at home doing nothing. I have learned that one or two of them have left the country. One whose name is James F. Padgett…is opposite West Point as overseer for Mr. Brook's (in King & Queens). I would like you to send to the officer in comd. at West Point…to have him arrested and sent down. Some of the men report that they have rented places out…for another year. I tell them that having been mustered in service they are bound here. Please let me know your opinion of this. As regards tanners-should all concerned in a Tannery be exempted or only such as are actually necessary to carry it on. The men off duty, when released for the 15 days, I instructed, it was expected of them that they should act as a police so far as to arrest run away negroes, to go where requested by owners…and correct insubordinate slaves (many families having no mail [male] with them to do this) [and] to find out the perpetrators of robberies etc, etc. Please let me know if this meets your views. Are Capt. Armistead's lieuts. still comd. officers or do they return to the Regt. for duty? I should address this to your adjutant but I cannot learn his name…Wm. H. Seawell, major Comg. 21st Regt. Va. Mil." The original address panel remains attached and reads, in full: "Official, Col. Crump, Comdg. Gloucester Point. Official Business." Light soiling, else VG.
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