Invalid Citizens, Mutilated Soldiers Plea Their Case Before Provost Blackmar.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020

Medal of Honor winner's war-date letter, 4pp. 4to., 2nd Lt. Wilmon W. Blackmar, Co. H, 1st West Virginia Cavalry, "Hd. Qrs. 2d Brig. 2d Cav. Div., Lewisburg, [West Va.]" May 31, 1864, to his mother, in part: "…May and the Spring of '64 pass away…now comes the Summer, the future…we are to begin another movement…so far your boy has been very fortunate…I have been playing Adjutant General of the brigade ever since Casper Morris…lost his finger in the Wytheville fight. He was trying to rally a broken line under heavy fire when a ball struck his hand as he waved his saber and two balls passed through his horse-Ned-a fine black. Morris is back home-Philadelphia and Col. asked me to take his place…we had brigade drill…I rode over the field on the fly with an orderly with an orderly at my heels…the Col. comdg. did not feel very well…he said 'Blackmar, put the brigade in line…you should have seen Blackmar on that grey horse…'officers and Non. Com. Officers to the front…Field and Staff to the front!'…I had to notify Major Capehart…that he was under arrest…it seemed odd for me to be putting him in arrest…but I had to do it…also had the pleasure of signing his release…after it had been clearly proven that charges could not be sustained-were groundless…I gave strict orders to the officers comdg. pickets [should] not allow any citizens to come within the lines . I was overrun…with widow & orphans, lame…and blind asking for a stolen horse, a dead calf or a prisoner brother. Some cases were enough to break one's heart…these citizens come to me as Pro. Mar. Two soldiers, brothers, were handed over to me…by Col. Capehart with charges of desertion and self mutilation…they came in with…three and the other one fingers show away and told some story about how it happened. We will have them tried by Court Martial and…prove self mutilation…and then punish them for the heinous crime…I have two pretty fair horses and a servant who takes tolerable good care of me…your loving son, Wilmon. Pro. Mar. 2d Brig. Gen. Averell's Cav…". Overall VG.

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