Lot 516
Civil War Correspondence. Lot of eight letters from "Binni", various dates in 1864 recording the campaign against Natchez, Vicksburg and Memphis. All of the letters are in a strong, bold hand (which is occasionally illegible). We wish we knew the identity of this soldier -- the letters evidence a strong love for his "dear child", as he often calls his wife and, most intriguingly, there is evidence that he was in command of troops and a promotion to Brigadier General is mentioned. There is some serious thought it may be Bernard G. Farrar, commander of the 6th US Colored Heavy Artillery, but we would need to do further research to establish which General wrote these letters. In any case, this is an impressive collection. Binni moves with the army from Memphis to Natchez to "Near Vicksburg," giving his wife reports of his lodgings and campsites. At one point in Natchez, our correspondent is billeted with a Mrs. Gillespie in "the residence of a Dr. Holcom…my bedroom is quite handsomely furnished ." While in Natchez, Binni is given more responsibility: "…Gen Tuttle has given me command of all the forces both on this side and the other side of the river. I now have about 5000 men under my orders…Gen Thomas has promised to urge my appointment as Brigadier. I hope it will come one of these days…" On May 8, Binni writes "…I got your last letter after my last raid into La when I had been after the rebs with a sharp stick I caned the Fort Pillow on them and taught them a lesson which they will long remember. You will see full accounts of it in the papers…" This gives us yet another intriguing clue to identity. Near Vicksburg, our officer offers his view of the state of the Confederate Army, "…Each night brings in quite a number of deserters they all have the same tales of scarcity of food…before too many days have past we will be in such a position that we can force them to surrender food or no food…".
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
|
| |
| Realized $374 |
