Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
A great war-date Confederate Partisan's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Jesse S. Taylor, Fairburn, Campbell Co., Ga., June 30, 1864, addressed to General John C. Breckinridge, in part: "…I thought I would be able to raise men sufficient to have [?] me to have figured some…in the field, but was disappointed in this from the fact that the section of the country that I live in. (I lived in Meade County) was from the first under Yankee rule…I have made several efforts to effect my purpose. I aided, in the summer of 1862, in raising a good company of men which one of my brothers [Capt. A. R. Taylor] has command of and…since doing good service in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry. I then proceeded…to raise a regiment of cavalry, would have succeeded could General Bragg have remained in the state…my section of the state was entirely cut off from his army. His presents [presence] in the state relieved no portion of Southern Ky. I came out with our army, but hearing of Union Home Guards firing on my wife and children and riving them from their home. I returned into Southern Ky in the winter of 1862-3 as soon as spring opened…to again try to organize men, but…this time there was such a sign of terror I saw no chance to effect my object. These home Guards headed by Judge Stuart, hearing of my return, sent immediately to Louisville [and] got themselves reinforced…gave me many chances to show my…generalship. They [?] the woods, searched houses etc for weeks. I lay in the woods some four months not eating a scrap…at one time they surrounded me, fired on me, but I charged the weakest point in their line and made my escape. General [Jeremiah T.] Boyle [Union military commander of Kentucky] had given it [?] in speeches that he regarded the most dangerous man left in the state and he had ordered me shot on sight. I thought I would take advantage of his alarm and proposed a treaty…I wrote to him if he would…write me…a pass through his lines I would report to him. He immediately complied with my request. I went to Louisville got my papers and left for the south on the 1st day of August last. The truth is I have been doing all in my power from the beginning for my cause…I have aided in sending out three companies…at different times. I have four brothers in the service…myself and family have all served the cuss as best we could…you might procure me an appointment in the subsistence department under the late act. My health has not been good for twelve months…I had the battle to fight in 1856 for several counties around me when many that are good and fervent Southern men…were against us…I…done all in my power since 1856 to build up and sustain Southern sentiment. I now wish my friends to place me in some position so that…I may be able to have and use some influence there…I have some forty or fifty blood relatives in the armies of the South…direct to me care of Captain Daniel B. Taylor, Company F, 1st Ky. Cavalry, Wheeler's Corps…Jesse S. Taylor." Two sheets irregular top margin, else VG
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