2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
A great Confederate cavalryman's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a member of the 36th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, "Hd. Qrs., 36 Batt. Va. Cav., Feb. 24, 1864", to a certain "Miss. E.", reading, in small part: "…so my friend Mr. Bailey informed you that I was in arrest again. Next time you see him tell him he is slightly mistaken. I have never been in arrest and hope I will never be again. I suppose you all are very glad that Sert. S. Jones has been removed and Sert. B. takes his place…this is one of the best changes that has been made. How glad I am to see those fellows who have had soft places…take the field and endure the hardships that we have undergone. I have been in a number of engagements since I saw you, indeed it is one of the hardest campaigns I ever saw. We are constantly on the move, at the fight at Jonesville I was slightly wounded on the side of the head with a piece of shell. It gave me great pain for a few days but is now all O. K. Thus far I have escaped unhurt. May the same God who determines the destines of all battles continue his favors toads me. Tom says a great many think the spring campaign will end this cruel war. Great anxiety & eagerness exist here among the people looking forward to peace and a termination of hostilities which present indications seemingly point to…hear the last dying echoes of the war. The troubled waters are lulling into calm repose…peace will be made. Soon we must remember that we are dealing with and making everyone whose presence has become united for nearly three years…take courage that the present war will end someday so far as the South is concerned that it will result in our final independence…". The battle of Jonesville, Virginia (near Cumberland Gap) occurred on January 2-3, 1864 after Confederate General William "Grumble" Jones learned of the weakness of Union forces in the region. His advance resulted in a fierce Union artillery against Confederate cavalrymen. In the end the Southern cavalrymen prevailed and the outnumbered Union soldiers were forced to surrender and, as a result, Lee County, Virginia remained in Confederate hands until the end of the war. Unsigned with expected soiling and toning, else VG.
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