Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Confederate cavalry officer's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Capt. Alfred B. Mulligan, [WIA Burgess' Mill, Va., Oct. 27, 64], Co. B, 5th South Carolina Cavalry, "Camp Smith" July 13, 1862, to his mother, in part: "…I am officer of the day today and the bugle is now blowing for general inspection of the tents, grounds and clothing…I must go around and attend to it…[a] week ago our Battalion left camp on horse back & marched several miles through a very thickly wooded island. We accomplished nothing by this march…next day…we all left in four large oar boats. Some forty men in each and after hard boating from8 o'clock at night until just before day we landed on Fenwick's Island and secured it over without finding a single Yankee…after spending several hours there we returned by way of Hutchinson's Island…finding no enemy there we came home. These islands have long since been in possession of the enemy but lately they seem to have abandoned them. I am opposed to these island excursions, they are exceedingly unpleasant on account of great fatigue…and if the enemy should find us out…they could cut us off with their boats…last Thursday our Bat[talion] was hurried over to Garden's Corner to meet the enemy whom…was advancing upon Pocotaligo in large force…but we found out…that the alarm was false…pickets often bring false alarms and put the army to the annoyance of making forced marches and often at night…Lieut. Chapin has not been with his company but about three weeks…the major gives him good chance to clean up his business keeping him in Charleston to buy guns for the Bat[talion]…I notice the high price of flour and corn in Spartanburg…it cant remain so high…if we should…have peace this year provisions will be cheap. Our successive victories of late has been very cheering…a few more will close the war…but should the enemy be successful in one or two large battles it would prolong the war…if our army and government will not too much upon the intervention of foreign governments and will use every exertion now that we are gaining ground on the enemy we will bring the war to a close soon. Should we place dependence in anything but on our strength guided by God's providence we will be disappointed. Everything is quiet in this section…A. B. Mulligan." Minor toning, else VG.
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