2022-07 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2022
A great Confederate soldier's letter, 4pp. legal size folio., written by Pvt. Henry J. Carter, Captain Gaines' Company, 3rd Alabama Cavalry, "Camp at Lumkin's Mills, 5 miles South of Holly Sps, [Miss.], July 21, 1862," to his wife reading, in part: "- near Ripley - we remained for several days in perfect security without piquetting any of the roads having no expectations that there was an enemy within fifty miles and we had such confidence in the people of R. and vicinity that we took little - precaution against a surprise. But on the morning we left, after the column had commenced moving. Col. Faulkner sent word - that the enemies cavalry were approaching the place and were - about eighteen miles distance. As Col. Hagan was under marching orders he thought it best not to halt the column but had two men from each company detailed to go back to R. - they were instructed to obtain all the information they could and return to the command. They proceeded only a little when they were fired on by a party of Yankees in ambush. They were very close and the only wonder is that our little party were not all killed - strange to say none of them were struck. Sergt. A's horse fell however at the first volley. He was obliged to retreat on foot under fire for a considerable distance. He concealed himself in a thicket for some time - he made his way t a house and the ladies of the neighborhood found out where his horse was and found that he was still able to travel. They brought the horse to him [after] having concealed his saddle bags, saber etc in the woods. Allen then succeeded in evading the enemy on different roads and rejoined us the next day at Salem. His horse was shot through both jaws but will probably get well - it seems the Yankees had made a forced march of 50 miles in twenty four hours intending to surprise us early in the morning - the mere accident of our moving early that morning -saved us as there was hardly a gun loaded - and we had no more than two hundred men to meet two or three thousand.The affair - has taught us a very cheap and useful lesson - we stayed last night in Holly Springs. the prettiest town I have ever seen - nature and art had done their best to render it as attractive as possible. We are now camped in a pretty grove along the margins of a large mill pond with fine spring water handy for use. We had a nice time today bathing both ourselves and horse in the pond - [Aug. 1st] - we have a considerable cavalry force at this place and a brigade of infantry, a portion of Gen. Villepeague's command. One brigade of the same command left for Abbeyville, 12 miles south - day before yesterday - the enemy from Memphis are advancing in this direction in large force - they are now 15 miles of Holly Springs - Gen. Curtis who was defeated some time since in Ark. has crossed the Miss. river and is coming in this direction - they will attempt something in this quarter soon. We have been on the move so constantly of late that I have had very little chance to write - Capt. Gaines who has been at home on furlough returned yesterday. He has been offered - major of the Regt. and will probably accept. We have been under the command of 2nd Lieut. Chaney for some time - I do not need any clothes at present. I would like the pants and drawers - Mr. Young - showed me his uniform which Mrs. B. presented to him - our cavalry will be kept in this vicinity to protect the R. R. and other avenues to the enemy from Memphis - our army is doing much good service in Tenn. - Nashville will be in our possession soon if not already. Some seem very sanguine of a speedy peace but I do not know what to expect. I hope some plan of settlement may be agreed upon soon - this is a great fruit country - peaches and apples are very plenty. We get plenty of green corn and other vegetables which are brought to camp for sale - I think that providence has favored us and I am confident we shall meet again - I saw - a list of the killed and wounded in Capt. Eckford's Com. of the 13th Miss. Regt. Among the killed were Capt. E. Frank Taylor, Mr. Shelton and several others that I know. How many sad hearts our dear brought victories have made! I do pray this cruel work may cease at once and that the demon of war may demand no more victims. I have talked with several prisoners taken from Indiana and Illinois Regts. They all express themselves as dissatisfied with the war and anxious for peace - they say they have no sympathy with the abolitionists and can never become their willing tools. They dod not think that they can subjugate the South, but hop the Union may be restored-strange delusion. Mr dear wife, I am glad I am not a Lincoln soldier. I am glad I am fighting in a cause my conscience approves and for an honest purpose with a patriot army and not the deceived minions of a black and hateful despotism - let your sad heart repose its cares and sorrows upon God and find calmness, faith and hope in - religion - I pray God that you may never see darker days than these. Let me kiss away those natural tears which fall upon the sheet and bid you a kind good bye - your own true and devoted, Husband." Also included is the original "Due 10" transmittal cover with "Mount Sterling, Ala., Augt 7/62" manuscript cancel on the verso. Docketed: "H. J. Carter. Priv., Capt. Gaines Com., 3rd Ala. [Cav.] Regt." in the upper left corner. Fully transcribed. Overall VG to near fine.
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