2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
War-date Confederate soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. David F. Kagey (1834-1923), Virginia Danville Light Artillery, (later Hospital Steward 25th Virginia Infantry), "Camp at Greenbrier," Va. August 21, 1861, to "Dear Girls & Aunt Ann," reading, in part: "…we were ordered from "Top of Allegheny" to this camp…in company with Col. Scott's Regiment…several of the company were detailed to remain with the baggage etc. and the rest of us came on with the cannon…we were forced by our wooden headed officers to move our bed & pitch our tents in regular order at a late hour at night. I…was mad & would have fought any one of them almost as soon as I would a Yankee…you need not be surprised to hear that I have joined Wise's Legion. He is just across Cheat Mountain. Several of us speak of trying to join him…there seems to have been a misunderstanding between Gen. Lee who is in the Huttonsville Valley & the army here about the time fixed for attacking the Yankees at Huttonsville and on top Cheat Mountain. The regiments left here last Friday with four days rations to cross Cheat Mountain…above the Yankee camp and open fire upon them in their rear & to blockade the road to prevent their getting…off of Cheat in the direction of Huttonsville. The forces here were to attack them from this side & Lee was to give them battle at Huttonsville…but the movement seems to have been premature…from this side. The regiments that crossed the mountain…got somewhat bewildered, lost their course & came out within three miles of Huttonsville where a large force of the enemy were stationed, but were unobserved by them…most of them got back here yesterday…broken down, half starved…the attack was to have been made on Sunday, but…Lee did not intend it. Two thousand troops went up from this side & drove their pickets into their camp on top of Cheat…Gen. Lee has ordered all the forces able to bear arms to move forward from Monterey…we have four thousand troops here. Gen. Lee has about fourteen thousand…many were of the opinion the Yankees don't intend making much of a stand…in this section of Va. as they have withdrawn many of their troops…". Unsigned, but an original transmittal cover is included while the letter appears to be complete with minor soiling, else VG.
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