2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Richard Griffith (1814-1862) was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savage's Station during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign. He was one of a number of Confederate generals who were born in the North in Pennsylvania. Autograph Letter Signed, "R. Griffin", writing to his son 12 year old Jefferson Davis Griffith, this 4 page letter is datelined, Head Quarters, Leesburg, Va., January 16th, 1862. The letter is accompanied with the original cover addressed "Mrs. Genl. R. Griffith Care Col. J. D. Stewart Jackson, Mississippi" Two Confederate Brothers write this 4page letter. Albert M. White mustered into "C" Co. NC 4th Infantry on 6/7/1861, was wounded 7/3/1863 Gettysburg, PA. ... and, George W. White at age 18, mustered into "C" Co. NC 4th Infantry on y 12/17/1862. He was POW 4/6/1865 Burkeville, VA., Confined 4/10/1865 Newport News, VA. The letter is datelined Camp near a Church, I don't know what Church Brigade Hospital June the 4th, 1862. In part, "I won't pretend to give you the news as I haven't much time to write. I will tell you that WE STARTED IN A CHARGE WITH ABOUT 50 MEN AND 6 COME OUT SAFE UNHURT. - BROTHER AND I WAS BOTH SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. BROTHER WAS HIT WITH A PIECE OF A SHELL ON THE BOWELS, ONLY A BRUISE. IT DID NOT ENTER. I WAS STRUCK 4 TIMES, ONCE ON THE ARM AND ON THE THIGH AND ONCE INSIDE AND ONCE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT, BUT THE WORST IS ONLY A BRUISE. - I CAN'T TELL NOW WHO ALL IS WOUNDED, BUT THERE WAS 8 KILLED IN OUR COMPANY, 28 WOUNDED, 8 MISSING. - OUR CAPT. HAD ONE LEG SHOT OFF. Lieut. Feimster wounded in the hip. Lieut. Andrews slightly in the left knee. A. B. Ervin and J. B. Sherill is badly wounded. Hall nor Maxxey is not hurt. I don't think in Co. A Capt. Halles was killed. Lieut. Cowan killed. Lieut. McNeely wounded. Lieut. Carlton slightly wounded. - OUR GENERAL RAMSEUR WAS WOUNDED AND COLONEL GRIMES SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. I could tell you more, but I must help to attend to the wounded as the help is scarce. I will say yet that David Fullbright was supposed to be killed. - We remain your sons as ever. A. M. and G. W. White." which lacks the stamp but is cancelled Leesburg January 20, 1862. There is a long section concerning the battle flag presentation and here is that paragraph: "I join you in the wish that you had been here the day I took command of the Mississippi Troops at Leesburg. The sight was a beautiful one indeed, and attracted much attention from soldiers and citizens. The Battle Flags were very handsome, indeed, and entirely different from the Confederate Flag. Since then however we have a much finer parade of the Troops. On the last day of December - always a day for a general review, inspection and muster of Troops - my command was out in full force nearly, with the Cavalry companies, and I reviewed them all at one time, and in one field. How I wished you were all here then. All those looking on pronounced it a far better display than on the Flag presentation. The Troopers carried each a bright lance, with a small Confederate Flag attached, and were much admired by all spectators, it presenting a very novel appearance. If Mam could well spare you, I would ask her to send you on to this place. You could be of much service to me, as well as to learn something of Military life. But I am unwilling to deprive Mam of your aid & society when I am absent from home, unless she is entirely willing to let you come." It is interesting that Griffith while owning slaves treated them as family and there are several mentions of slaves in the letter. One of the mentions is a P.S. "The enclosed dollar bill is for you to make a present to any Negro of ours you wish to give it."
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.