Northern Vandals Conduct Themselves as "Proud Conquerers of Our Soil."

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A great Confederate soldier's letter, 4pp. (crosshatched front page) 8vo., written by Pvt. Henry J. Carter, Col. [William] Wirt Adams (1st Mississippi) Cavalry regiment, "Camp near Tupelo Springs, Pontotoc Co., Miss., [no date, but ca. June 12, 1862], to his wife reading, in part: "- we have been detached from Adams' Regt. for about four weeks - it is with the main army - we have been acting as rear guard and retreating only so fast as the enemy advanced . Since we left Tuscumbia river we have been on very light duty and in a very pleasant well watered country - the only drawback is the lack of provisions. We have had to buy the principle portions of what we have eaten for some time, but we do not mind it as we live much better than we should if we have been confined to army rations as at Corinth - the enemy - seem to be following us slowly back into the country and it is reported that they are intrenching their ground as they go - we shall defeat them if we can only get them to come out to fight us. The movements of Beauregard are very mysterious and as yet we can see nothing apparent as his place of operations. I fear great dissatisfaction among the people unless our retreat is counteracted by a brilliant success of our troops. We hear various rumors in regard to foreign intervention etc, etc - it i now certain that we have recently gained a series of victories in Va. - but in the West, Memphis and Ft. Pillow have fallen and the enemy seem to have pretty much got control of the Miss. river. We hear our troops in Arkansas have met and defeated the enemy and that we shall carry on a spirited campaign this summer in the country west of the Miss. We have met with some reverses since last winter but it is only on account of their superiority in naval equipment - your report about a part of Col. Adams' Regt. being captured is not true except a few men drawn from different companies who went with the intrepid [John Hunt] Morgan and [of] those we learn have made their escape from the Feds. Lieut. Col. Wood and Adjutant Paxton of our Regt were of the number. We are now attached to Col. Lindsey's Regt. of Miss. Cavalry, but not incorporated with it. We do not expect to go back to that Regt. again but we may - with other companies form an Ala. Regt. of cavalry - Capt. Reeves Co. of Noxubee cavalry are in this Regt. - if I could get a little sick and puny I could easily arrange it - to go and stay with you a while. I have talked with Capt. Gaines about it he seems to feel willing that I should go on the first opportunity but he can see no way - unless I get a little sick - that is a game I can not play at well - I trust that the cup of our misfortunes is about full and that soon we shall be able to dictate the terms of an honorable peace to the vandals of the North who now conduct themselves as the proud conquerers of our soil - Husband, Henry." Also included is the original "Due 5" transmittal cover with "Tupelo, Miss., June 16" cancel on the verso. Docketed: "H. J. Carter. Priv., Capt. F. Y. Gaines Com., Gen. Beal's Brigade" in the upper left corner. Fully transcribed. Overall VG to near fine.

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