2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date Union Brevet Major General's letter, 2pp. 8vo., written, on "Headquarters, Department of the South," stationery, Port Royal, S. C., June 29, 1863 by then Colonel JOHN WESLEY TURNER (1833-1899) as Chief of Staff, Department of the South (and commander of the Union artillery during the assault of Fort Wagner) to Col. William Watts Hart Davis, as commander of U. S. Forces at Beaufort, announcing the commanding general's approval for Col. Thomas W. Higginson to take the 1st South Carolina Colored Infantry and occupy James Island, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina just weeks before the celebrated charge of the 54th Massachusetts on Fort Wagner. The day after this letter was written Col. Higginson did so with very minor loss. The letter, reads, in part: "The General commanding puts the following endorsements on Col. Higginson's letter of yesterday. 'Col. Higginson's project is approved & he will make his preparation secretly & with dispatch. He must be ready…after the 1st Prox. regardless of the time of night…he will have to do without the steamers, Darlington and Gov. Morton. Gen. Saxton will leave his small steamer for the purpose…the John Adams and one other small steamer can be spared by Q. Mst. The colonel will report when he is ready for final instructions…Jno. W. Turner, Col. & Chf. staff." Negligible tape repair, not effecting text, else near fine.
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