2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
Confederate stragglers and deserters are rounded up and sent back to General Lee's army on the day of the battle of Antietam. Orders sent by Confederate General Samuel Cooper, 2pp. 4to., "Hd. Qrs., Richmond, Va., Sept. 17, 1862, written by his AAG, Samuel W. Melton to future brigadier general, Staunton post commander Col. Henry B. Davidson, reading, in part: "By direction of the secretary of War, measures have been taken to collect all soldiers in Richmond, belonging to and en route for Genl. Lee's army and forward them in squads under command of commissioned officers by way of Staunton and Winchester…camps will be located…to afford shelter…upon assuming command of the post…you will…provide the camps…infantry guards…upon the arrival of trains from Gordonsville. You will cause all soldiers to be conducted under guard to the camp…and forward them…to Winchester…the officers in charge of the camps will cause roll-calls to be made…and furnish the names and description of the missing men to cavalry patrols who will be charged with…patrolling the country along the rout e…arresting deserters and stragglers…ordered to report to you for duty…[is] the 61st Regt. Va. Vols…as guards and one company of…Phillips Legion under Capt. Long for patrol duty. You will exercise authority without regard to rank along the route extending from Gordonsville via Staunton to Winchester and will not receive orders except from the Secretary of War, General Lee or these Hd. Quarters…you will…exercise in preventing persons coming from Gen. Lee's army from passing in this direction without proper leaves of absence. Very respectfully colonel…Sam. W. Melton, Maj. & AAG." SAMUEL WICKLIFFE MELTON (1830-1899) attended South Carolina College, was volunteer ADC to General Bonham at First Bull Run and later served as AAG to General Samuel Cooper during the time he penned this letter. Following the war he became a South Carolina state judge and for a time served as her attorney general. Negligible paper loss at top right margin, wrinkles and minor spotting, else VG.
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