Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Confederate cavalry officer's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Capt. Alfred B. Mulligan, [WIA Burgess' Mill, Va., Oct. 27, 64], Co. B, 5th South Carolina Cavalry, "Camp of Dismounted Battalion, Butler's Brigade, A. N. V.", Oct. 23, 1864, to his mother & three sisters, in part: "…I have been on the go…building breastworks…Genl. Hampton is very anxious to complete a line of defense considered of much importance & we have been working hard to get it done. The two first years of this war our army did not use the spade but fought without protection…the consequence was that thousands of our best men were killed by…Yankee shells etc. Last Year we commenced intrenching in imitation of the enemy who never lose an opportunity to fortify themselves. This campaign we have used the spade very generally (excepting the cavalry branch of our army. As…cavalry have to fight with out any protection…to stand behind), but I have never lost an opportunity to put up something to protect my men from the fire of the enemy…like fence rails, logs etc. I make my men put them up in piles &…lie down & load & shoot…in this way I have saved unnecessary loss of life on several occasions. At the beginning of this war many of our officers considered it rather cowardly to do this…but now all sensible men & good officers agree…of using every means in this form to protect their men…in two days…we will have our lines completed…in front of our cavalry. This will make one continuous line of works from our extreme left on the north side of Richmond to our extreme right several miles south of this. We will be able [from] behind these lines to meet the enemy five to one & whip him. We have already met him on the north side of he James…& whipped him. Our Genls. are very activity engaged now and all appear to take great interest in the cause . Every day I meet with Genl. Hampton, W. H. F. Lee, Butler Dearing & several others…we are now just on the right of Genl. Heath's Division of infantry & I see him often . Since I came to Virginia I have not had the pleasure to meet that Great Genl. & good man, Genl. Robt. E. Lee. I saw him at the beginning of the war when he commanded in South Carolina & made his head Quarters at Coosawhatchie, S. C….everything is remarkably quiet along our lines. The weather is very favorable for operation of a military kind but the enemy do not appear inclined to attack us & Genl. Lee does not…intend to attack him…matters will probably remain at a stand still until after the Presidential election is ours & I hope that after that…things will change & we be let alone to do as we would like in our own Country…A. B. Mulligan. [Monday morning, 24th Oct., 64]…today find me quite well. Frank has returned to the Brig. He will stay with me." Light toning, else VG
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