2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
Mims' Account Of The Battle Of Kelly's Ford And His Staff Appointment A great war-date Confederate soldier's 2pp. 4to., letter written in ink by Pvt. William H. Mims, Co. A, 2nd Battalion, Georgia Infantry, "Head Quarters Wrights Brigade, Camp near Massaponat Church, [Va.], March 22, 1863 to his father concerning the battle of Kelly's Ford and being appointed to General Wright's Staff, reading, in part: "…we have been on the march…I am detailed in the Generals office, to assist the A.A. Gen'l. who is a very fine man. I have put aside the Gun & Knapsack and taken a horse & sword instead, and am considered one of the staff. I have nearly or quite all the writing to do, issuing all the orders & c. We had to march up to Fredericksburg, on the 17th inst. Gen'l. Stuart had a skirmish with the enemy few miles from us. And we were ordered up to reinforce him. He drove them back, so we did not go into the fights. Our loss was about 230. We were in two miles of them during the engagement. We had to stay in the woods three nights with nothing with one blanket. I say we, meaning, the troops, I was under a tent and had plenty of covering, but the troops had to stand it. It commenced snowing the second day & continued all night next day & night, and was about fourteen inches deep when we started back, & still snowing. We had to march nine miles in it. It was as much as I could do to keep my horse on his feet, and I came near freezing besides…the Division that Charley belongs to was ordered up this way the other day, they came in within 35 miles of us, but were ordered back…". Included is the original transmittal envelope with the unusual usage of a Confederate stamp being used as the closure. Very minor spotting, else very good.
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