Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
A rare Confederate engineer's Peninsular Campaign letter, 1p. 8vo., written by Major Jasper Strong Whiting (1828-1862), as aag to General Gustavus Smith, Spotswood Hotel, [Richmond, Va.], May 14, 1862, to his brother General William Henry Chase Whiting asking him to solicit General Smith's help in fortifying Richmond from falling during McClellan's Peninsular campaign, reading, in part: "[Chief engineer Major Walter H.] Stevens & I have been doing all we can to stir up the imbeciles. It is perfectly discouraging to see how absolutely nothing has been done. Hood's Brigade, as yours (any good Brigade) might save Richmond yet…keep back the gunboats. A little work well done & quickly will do it. But everyone has taken the panic at the first shell when there was no danger at all. All the niggers & many of the soldiers ran off. When we arrived at the "obstructions" [Fort Darling, or Drewry's Bluff] no one was working. No work at all has been done since morning. It is absolutely heart breaking to see the stupidity, imbecility selfishness & cowardice that rule Richmond and he Confederacy. Cannot something be done. Stop the gunboats (which is easy if we can get six hours work done). Save the Commissary stores if not the Capitol an all will be well. Let the [?] be & give up Richmond, with stores, and the army will move South a disagreed & demoralized rabble. Show this to "G. W." [CSA General Gustavus W. Smith] & come & help us…Jasper." A retained war-date copy letter of the above letter is also included that was also no doubt used to help "stir up the imbeciles" at Richmond. Near fine. (two pieces)
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