Details
MORGAN, JOHN HUNT, General, C.S.A., raider. Autograph letter signed ("JnoHMorgan") to Major C[harles] T[homas] Goode of Macon, Georgia; Estelle Springs, [Tennessee], 22 September 1862. One page, 4to, on lined paper. Fine condition.
THE LEGENDARY RAIDER REGARDING A GEORGIA BATTALION OF PARTISAN RANGERS
A rare autograph letter from one of the best known Confederate raiders. Morgan (1825-1864) had organized a rifle corps in Lexington, Kentucky, commissioned a Captain in September 1861 and assigned a squadron of cavalry for use as scouts. He led this force on the first of his celebrated raids from July 4-1 August 1862 (not longe before the present letter). Covering over 1,000 miles in 24 days, he captured some 1,200 Union soldiers, lost fewer than 100 men despite fierce fighting, destroyed many Federal supplies and severly confused the Union commander Buell. "Your letter of the 24th August tendering me your Battallion [sic] of Partizan [sic] Rangers is just received. You perhaps have not considered that I am in command of regular cavalry and that Partizan Rangers cannot be Brigaded. If you are disposed to come into my Brigade as regular cavalry, I will be very happy to accept you, but you will be compelled to procure the consent of the Secretary of War [James A. Seddon]. Thanking you for your expressions of kindness...."
Morgan's Second Raid was launched not long after this letter, commencing on 18 October. Morgan's present correspondent, Major Goode, had organized the 19th Georgia Cavalry battallion in the Spring of 1862 and was stationed at Macon. His Partisans did not John Morgan's famous band, and his battallion was later merged into the 10th Confederate Cavalry with Goode as its Colonel. The unit fought with distinction throughout the war. Hunt himself was later captured, escaped and was given a new command, but was surprised and killed by Federal troops at Greeneville, Tennessee, 4 September 1864.
Documents and letter signed by Morgan are scarce, but full autograph letters are quite rare.
THE LEGENDARY RAIDER REGARDING A GEORGIA BATTALION OF PARTISAN RANGERS
A rare autograph letter from one of the best known Confederate raiders. Morgan (1825-1864) had organized a rifle corps in Lexington, Kentucky, commissioned a Captain in September 1861 and assigned a squadron of cavalry for use as scouts. He led this force on the first of his celebrated raids from July 4-1 August 1862 (not longe before the present letter). Covering over 1,000 miles in 24 days, he captured some 1,200 Union soldiers, lost fewer than 100 men despite fierce fighting, destroyed many Federal supplies and severly confused the Union commander Buell. "Your letter of the 24th August tendering me your Battallion [sic] of Partizan [sic] Rangers is just received. You perhaps have not considered that I am in command of regular cavalry and that Partizan Rangers cannot be Brigaded. If you are disposed to come into my Brigade as regular cavalry, I will be very happy to accept you, but you will be compelled to procure the consent of the Secretary of War [James A. Seddon]. Thanking you for your expressions of kindness...."
Morgan's Second Raid was launched not long after this letter, commencing on 18 October. Morgan's present correspondent, Major Goode, had organized the 19th Georgia Cavalry battallion in the Spring of 1862 and was stationed at Macon. His Partisans did not John Morgan's famous band, and his battallion was later merged into the 10th Confederate Cavalry with Goode as its Colonel. The unit fought with distinction throughout the war. Hunt himself was later captured, escaped and was given a new command, but was surprised and killed by Federal troops at Greeneville, Tennessee, 4 September 1864.
Documents and letter signed by Morgan are scarce, but full autograph letters are quite rare.