Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Confederate cavalry officer's battle of Ream's Station letter, 4pp. large folio, written by Capt. Alfred B. Mulligan, [WIA Burgess' Mill, Va., Oct. 27, 64], Co. B, 5th South Carolina Cavalry, "Head Quarters 5th So. Ca. Cavalry Gravelly Run, Va.", Aug. 28, 1864, to his mother & sisters, in part: "…on tuesday 23rd inst., Genl. Butler our division of cavalry attacked the enemy about three miles from "Ream's Station" and we had a very severe fight. In the early part of the day we were driven back for a half mile, the enemy charging us with infantry and mounted cavalry. It was in the cavalry charge…that I got my horse wounded. It was not the fault of Butler's Brigade that the enemy drove us. The Virginia cavalry commenced the retreat & we were compelled to fall back too…however we charged the enemy & drove him back for two & a half mile…the day's fight was very severe and we lost very heavily considering our numbers engaged, but two were killed from my Regt…many were wounded severely. Major Morgan of our Regt. lost his left foot in the engagement. Col. Dunovant has been promoted to Brig. Genl. Lieut. Col. Jeffords is still at home wounded…this leaves me in command of the Regt. The position is a very responsible one…a very trying one…Genl. Robt. E. Lee has expressed himself well pleased with the services of the cavalry this summer…the enemy still hold the Rail Road for a fe miles south of Petersburg but they have been so badly whipped…that they will be apt to keep quiet. This place Gravelly Run is nine mile southwest from Petersburg…our peace prospects are getting higher every day…the time is not far distant, I trust, when I shall be able to lay aside my sword & return…out of forty seven (47) officers we only have twelve (12) for duty now, some have been killed, some wounded and some…captured…I have seen a very complimentary report from Genl. Lee of our cavalry…[August 29, 1864]…about my lost baggage to Charlotte Depot at Columbia. There is some rascality perpetrated about my lost trunk, chest & deck…A. B. Mulligan." Light soiling, else VG.
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