Raynors HCA 2020-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020
War-date Confederate officer's letter, 3pp. folio., written by Lieut. Mann Page [WIA Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, 62], 21st Virginia Infantry, as inspector general, John M. Jones' Brigade, "Head Quarters 21st Regt. Va. Infantry, Camp near Pisgah Church, Jan. 13th, 1863," to his uncle, David Copeland Randolph, reading, in part: "…I would have written much sooner but just after William [servant] got back our Regt. had to go on picket down to Morton's Ford and remained until a day or two ago. The weather has been so bad that I could not write while on picket…we had no tents or shelter and wood was very scarce…I stood it well, but hate the idea of having to go through the same thing every 15 days…it is getting to be a hard matter for officers to get anything from their commissaries for they have very little meal to issue & they have orders not to let the officers have any sugar & coffee which they are now issuing to the men. I gave William a lecture about charging Aunt Frances for bringing up the package. I think I have spoiled William by being too liberal with him. Just before he went home I paid him up the Jany. & lent him a hundred dollars…the other day while I was on picket he came to my Sgt. Major, in my absence, and asked him to give him a pass to go home which he refused to do…on my getting back I discharged him from my service, but he did not want to leave . I think that rascal……could get $57 per month, but up to the time of his leaving he has always been my fateful Tom and I shall miss him very much for I never told him to do any thing that he did not do it willingly. When he left me he owed me $80 which I told him he could pay by the first of April 64 as he did not have the money then…I would not have given him up but my mess are like you, they do not like him and do not think he liked them though he has been very fateful & was very fond of me…I intend to take Robert…by the way. What did Sam hire for this year? I understand that servants are hiring very high in Richd…I am glad to hear that your crops turned out so well…for a man that makes bread & meal these hard times is doing his country a service, except those who make it to hoard up for unreasonable prices…I wish there was a law to put all such in the army for I believe that the greed for money is one reason why we do not prosper more than we do…providence had deprived Congress of all practical sense…I am afraid that they will let the session pass without improving the currency…I do not think they have brains enough to do anything with it. What will John Page do now that the substitution Law is done away with? I suppose him & Tom Funt will have to go in & the Hubbards two…Mann Page." Near fine with minor ink bleed.
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