2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
Absentee bidding for this session ends on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.
The live portion of this session begins on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
Confederate Soldier’s 8pp letter, datelined Montgomery Ala, April 28/61, written to his ‘Ma’, using 7-Star CSA Flag patriotic stationary, by Henry S. Figures who enlisted early 1861 when he was 18. He was promoted 1st Lieut 5/22/1862 (1st Lieut & Adjutant). "He fought at Yorktown, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Chickamauga, and Gettysburg, where he was cited for bravery. Henry Figures died rallying the men on May 6 at the age of 20 at the Battle of the Wilderness. His body was wrapped in his blanket roll in lieu of a coffin; a makeshift wooden cross marked the spot. His sister, Mattie, wrote later, 'Kind hands carried him from the battlefield, and laid him to rest, in an orchard under an apple tree, in full bloom, which cast its rosy petals near his head.' March 4, 1867 - "The remains of Lt. Henry S. Figures, Adjutant of the 48th Alabama Regiment and son of Advocate editor William B. Figures, were disinterred last week and brought home by his parents for burial at the City Cemetery. In large part, “Today is Sunday. Such a Sunday I never saw, nor do I ever want to see another like it. There are about 10 companies here going to Lynchburg, Va. They had an election for Colonel & Lieutenant Col. of the Regiment today out at the fairgrounds. The drum & fife were all that was to be heard, except pistol shooting. They will leave tomorrow morning for the above named place. You said that the "Huntsville Guards & the North Alabamians" will leave tomorrow . I would like very much to be there & go with my company. I will come home & go on to Dalton & go with them. If you will give your consent, but not without I hope they will come through here, but I don't think they will. I wrote a letter to Pa the other day and expect he received it this morning. I haven't got Pa's papers for last Tuesday yet. I always get it on Thursday. The clerks in the War Department were divided out the other day. There were five in our room, but they are not allowed but three. They put Mr. Randolph in the Adjutant General's room & put me in the Quarter Master General's room. I am still in the War Department but only in a different room. I was not removed because of any fault, but for the above named reason. I am very well contented in my room. ... I go there at 9 o'clock & send the boy to the P.O. We get about 3 or 4 letters, and then I take them, after they have been read & brief them on the back & then enter them in the book. I get done that about 10 o'clock & then I sit down & do anything I want to. I generally read newspapers. At 2 o'clock we send to the P. O. again, & then I do the same thing as in the morning, if there are any letters. Sometimes we don't get any. When we do, I get done about 3 o'clock & then do nothing until about 5 o'clock. Then send to the P. O. again, and then do the same thing over & get done by about six o'clock, & then I walk about if I want to. Each room that belongs to the War Department has a large bag to send to the P. O. with the name of the room marked on it, so you must direct my letters to Care of Quarter Master Department or to Col. A. C. Myers. Either one will do, as he is the Q. M. I got a letter from Willie Fariss yesterday saying that Jimmy & Sandy White and Tom Patterson were going with my company. He told me what officers were elected in my place, John Weaver. I am sorry a better boy could not be found. I wish Willie Fariss had got it. Congress meets tomorrow. Everybody is talking about going to hear. If I wanted to go ever so badly, I would not go without your consent. I would like to be at home to go with my company, but I'm not there. P. B. Robinson is well & he talks about going to war all the time. Mr. Randolph (one of our clerks) is going, General Walker is going to give him a Lieutenancy. He is Mrs. Randolph's cousin by marriage. When you write give me a description of the flag presentation, etc. I went to church this morning & heard Mr. Petra. I am going tonight. Henry Weeden was to have been back from Columbus last night but did not come. You said you were going to send me some clothes. When you send them, you must send my shaving brush & some soap & cup. Also my toothpaste. Give my love to all & tell Julia that I am under many obligations to her for not forgetting me. The cakes were very fine. I gave P. B. Robinson some & he liked them so much that he wanted some more. ... Tell Willie Achlin if I was a Douglass man, I am now serving the Confederate States of America. Also, that he must write to me. Tell Pa that I will write to Uncle John Figures & J. J. Coleman in 2 or 3 days. I will also write to Grandma soon. What did John Teroy quit the office for & what is he doing now? Tell Pa to write too. It is Sunday evening. Just 15 minutes after five. I am in P. B. R.'s room. He is asleep on the bed, so I will close my long letter & wake him up & go out to take a walk down by the river. Get up please. Oh, I am sleepy. Let me alone. But I am going to wake him up so I will close., Direct to: Henry S. Figures Montgomery, Ala Care of Quarter Master Department”
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