2023-08 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
Philip Dale Roddey (April 2, 1826 - July 20, 1897) was a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. After Hood's failure, Roddey joined Forrest in trying desperately to stop Union General James H. Wilson's cavalry raid into south Alabama in March 1865. Roddey's command fought for the last time in April at the Battle of Selma, where Forrest's men were overpowered by the more numerous and better armed Union horse soldiers. Most of Roddey command was captured at Selma. The remainder surrendered at Pond Springs (now Wheeler), Alabama, in May 1865Datelined, Gilbert, [Alabama] February 25, 1865, 4pp., to his daughter, with original cover. In part, "I write every chance. Col. Winos [Winds?] went from here to Tuscumbia and a letter from Capt. Jamison says he was captured and carried away on the 22nd inst. I am glad to hear that you are pleased with your school and that your determination is to succeed in learning. ... Write slow and educate yourself to making smooth letters, &c. I am not complaining of what you have done-only advising you as your writing shows some haste, &c. ... You express doubts whether I would be pleased if I were to visit you. I hope you are getting on all right. I have done the best for you I could under the pressure of circumstances surrounding us. So far as we can see, you are now enjoying all the chance you will ever have of acquiring an education & you must not neglect that for anything as it will be more advantageous to you than anything that I can hope to do for you. And if I fall in this war, God only knows what will be your destiny or what may be your suffering. To you-as the eldest daughter-I must look for help in training the younger ones. They will pattern after the example set them by you. Therefore you must be scrupulously correct in your deportments & habits & in all things & under all circumstances as much as possible preserve an even temper & control them by the love that have for you. ... I will endeavor to make an honorable name for you and when President Davis asks pardon of the Federal government for his conduct, I may do the same. And when our government so instructs, I will lay down arms & seek as best I can to support the family dependent on me. These are my determinations. And if I live, will carry them out to the honor of my family. Better men than me have been killed by the thousand-& better soldiers than me now languish by the thousand in northern prisons. ...We cannot tell what a day may bring about nor how soon you may be deprived of my health. Therefore, I importune you to forego any passing pleasure for your own & the good of the family. Write as often as convenient & oblige yours truly, - P. D. R.
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