2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
PENDLETON, Alexander Swift "Sandie" (1840-1864) was an officer on the staff of Confederate Generals Thomas J. Jackson, Richard S. Ewell and Jubal A. Early during the American Civil War. After accompanying Stonewall Jackson's corpse to its final resting place back at Lexington in the Shenandoah Valley, Pendleton returned to duty with the Second Corps staff under its new commander, Richard S. Ewell during the Gettysburg Campaign. In 1864, when Jubal A. Early assumed command of the Second Corps, he promoted Pendleton to chief of staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The Second Corps again returned to the Shenandoah Valley that summer, and attempted the last Confederate invasion of the north. The Union assigned Major General Philip Sheridan to put down resistance in the valley once and for all. Early was defeated at the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864, forcing the Confederates to retreat to nearby Fisher's Hill. When Union forces attacked on September 22, 1864, Pendleton was fatally wounded in the abdomen. He was moved to the nearby town of Woodstock, where he died the following day. Initially interred near the battlefield, his body was exhumed and returned to his family in Lexington, where he was buried near Stonewall Jackson on October 24, 1864. War-date Confederate officer Autograph Letter Signed "A.S. Pendleton" 6pp. quarto, October 23, 1861, Camp at Centreville, and reads in part: "...I have my library too - for on my trunk by my side lie a bible, a prayer book, a Shakespeare, two novels and the C.S. Army Regulations - but there are other implements a heavy sabre lies by the bible and a pair of top boots & plated spurs hang over my head from the ridge pole...My enjoyment is heighted too by just stepping out of my door, for I have an eye for the beautiful and far as the eyes can reach the Valley and Hillside is full of campfires which gleam brightly and make a beautiful contrast with the dark earth & the sky studded with stars - they are laid regularly too, and from this hill top it looks like a view of some great city by night. And there are no warlike sounds to bring to mind the war - I hear the clank of the blacksmith's hammer just across the road, as the shoes horses for tomorrow's work and in another tent just by George, the dining room servant is giving out for his private edification the lines of human & singing it to an old Methodist tune...A good Providence can take care of us anywhere and really he seems to be taking care of our cause - the affair at Leesburg was a glorious success 700 prisoners 1200 smalls arms & 6 cannon taken by 3 regiments without a single piece of artillery. And rumor has just reached us that Gen. Marauder has beaten them at Yorktown, sinking 2 ships and utterly routing the force they had landed....I saw Pa today, he begins to look ferocious with his moustache, which he turned out to give him a soldier air. I believe I will grow a beard myself for the credit of the family. Pa has quite a force 40 guns and more to come - he is an important person...I am the only member of the Genl's staff now -Adjut Genl, Aide de Camp & boss generally and I have to be here all the time. I hope will get someone soon..." Fine condition.
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