2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Confederate soldier's 2pp. pencil letter written by Dr. James Ogburn Norton enlisted on 10/1/1861 as a 1st Lieutenant commissioned into "K" Co. TN 32nd Infantry. Lt. Norton was among the 528 members of the 32nd Tennessee that were taken prisoner on 16 February 1862. They would eventually be imprisoned at Camp Chase, Ohio, where they suffered through hard times. Though he tried to reassure his wife that he would be alright, Lt. Norton was one of the first officers to die at Camp Chase. His date of death is given as 4 March 1862. Datelined Chattanooga, November 15, 1861 to his wife, in part; "I wrote you a small note last night (on the cars) which you may not get. When I arrived at Nashville, I learned that our regiment had marching orders so I spent the day in Nashville & as much of the time as I could at Dr. Abernathy's. They were all well. We left Nashville last night at half past 8 o'clock, arrived at Chattanooga this evening, put up our tents & eat supper & commenced writing. Mrs. Abernathy gave me a snack which I divided with Capt. [Elijah H.] Ikard and that has done me till supper tonight. We had two extra trains to bring us here which took two days and one night. There are two companies of our regiment left at Linn Bridge & two companies are left at Running Water Bridge & six companies are here. There are some two regiments here besides ours-or one is out on a scout. These regiments have been here but a few days. They have taken about fourteen prisoners (Union men) which have to take the Oath of Allegiance or remain prisoners of war. We have the man that burnt the bridge a prisoner (so they say). There are five bridges burnt & that is the cause of us all being sent East Tennessee. We are 54 miles closer to home than we were at Camp Trousdale. ... The drum is beating for roll call and I must close.
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