Recounting early Union ambushes

Los 160
25.04.2022 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Verkauft
$ 11 340
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
VeranstaltungsortVereinigten Staaten, New York
Archiv
Die Auktion ist abgeschlossen. Es können keine Gebote mehr abgegeben werden.
Archive
ID 743820
Los 160 | Recounting early Union ambushes
Schätzwert
$ 15 000 – 25 000
MOSBY, John Singleton (1833-1916). Autograph letter signed ("Jno S. Mosby") to his wife Pauline, Culpeper County, Virginia, 1 April 1862. Two pages, 245 x 200mm. (some loss and tears to lower margin, filled in and stabilized with archival tissue.) A dramatic and extensive personal letter, detailing Mosby's early battlefield exploits and writing of “stirring times with the Yankees” in which “the old 1st has played a brilliant role”. Mosby vividly describes his ambush of a Union cavalry force while they crossed the Cedar Run tributary: "The appearance of the enemy when they crossed Cedar Run was the most magnificent sight I ever beheld. They marched through a large open field of several hundred acres and their columns extended as far back for several miles as the eye could reach…. Their advanced guard consisting of ten or fifteen cavalry crossed over with their sabers drawn in all the pride & circumstance of glorious war.” In response, the Confederate troops "delivered a volley with our carbines which sent them back across the deep stream in the wildest confusion. One fellow was thrown into the water over his head-he scrambling out ran off & left his horse. Another horse fell, rose & fell again bringing his rider with him under the water. We ceased firing, threw up our caps & indulging the most boisterous laughter. They did not stop running when they reached the opposite bank but fled back to the rear of the infantry & artillery." He recounts the commendations he received from his commanding officer, Col. William “Grumble” Jones, for a daring reconnaissance ride he undertook: “with four men I passed around, got to the rear of the enemy, discovered that they were only making a feint movement on R. Road while they were really moving in another direction. I rode nearly all night to give the information & which resulted in Genl Stuart’s ordering our regt. in pursuit & the capture of about 30 prisoners, 16 horses, arms, etc.” In response to his conduct, Stuart then “wrote a report to Genl Johnston commending me very highly & also recommending my promotion.” A few months later, Mosby was selected to scout for Stuart during the Peninsular Campaign, including his famed “Ride Around McClellan”. The young cavalry officer, with unconvincing humility, then claims: “I w[oul]d not mention these things about myself but…I know it is gratifying to those at home to know that 'in the worlds great field of Battle' I have not been altogether undistinguished. Our men are in the finest spirits & eager for a fight… We are perfectly confident of being able to whip the Yankees whenever we fight them…” A superb war-date letter by the important Confederate cavalry commander. Provenance: () Christie’s, New York, 14 June 2005, lot 259.
Adresse der Versteigerung CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
Vereinigten Staaten
Vorschau
11.04.2022 – 25.04.2022
Telefon +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
E-Mail
NutzungsbedingungenNutzungsbedingungen
Versand Postdienst
Kurierdienst
Selbstabholung
Zahlungsarten Banküberweisung
GeschäftszeitenGeschäftszeiten
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Di 09:30 – 17:00   
Mi 09:30 – 17:00   
Do 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa geschlossen
So geschlossen

Verwandte Begriffe