Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
A great un-Reconstructed Rebel's letter, 2pp. legal size folio, written by Pvt. Louis H. Tafel 49th Virginia Infantry, Greenhill, [Va.], Nov. 20, 1865, to his friend, Lulu Scott, reading, in part: "…I have thought about you frequently and intended to write to you ever since the surrender…I have not been able to get stamps before this…I heard from you last month (when postal arrangements were first reopened)…since I saw you last. I very narrowly escaped being captured with Gen. Lee's remnant as I was at Appomattox Depot…back to the army on Saturday evening…I was cut off with a good many others and retreated in good order to Lynchburg where I reported at headquarters for orders…was…placed for about half an hour in the trenches when we were ordered to "cut off" as they would surrender to the Yankees as soon as practicable. The news of Lee's surrender…was scattered through the town…I felt some curiosity to see the thing out and not being very eager to meet with any loving brethren of the North, again, in the capacity of prisoner and…rather than belief that a;ll might not be lost. I "made good my retreat." by forced marches through Campbell and Pittsylvania Counties, crossing the Staunton and Dan rivers into Tarheeldom. I arrived…at Greensborough…where Gen. Beauregard was then in command and where Jeff Davis and his cabinet were still hovering…I had the pleasure of guarding some fifty odd blue bellied rag-a-tags from Stoneman's and Sherman's commands…when Joseph E. with his army came up I soon found that "the thing was up" and…as I was assured they would surrender, I determined to be absent and retracted my steps…I fell back unmolested to the Old Dominion without…seeing a "Yank"; though I went around them several times. I had never been paroled, not have I taken the oath…I shall do so if ever i see any use of it…on my return I resumed my duties in peace and have been teaching…at Mr. Lewis W. Cabell's…Louis H. Tafel." Also included is the original stamped transmittal cover addressed, "Miss. Lulu Scott, care of Rev. R. Scott, Beverly, Randolph Co., West Va." Overall near fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.