Lot 90
Ruggles, Daniel (1810-97) Confederate general. Manuscript Letter Signed, Tangipahoa [Louisiana], July 27, [[1862]. One page octavo. Written at 9 p.m. "To Maj. Genl. Breckinridge," the letter reads: "Genl On the presumption that you will arrive during the night, I send a courier with a lead horse, with the request that you will come to my quarters, where you will find a blanket." Docketed on verso, "Brig Gen Ruggles. July 1862." Some staining at left margin, most of it light, not affecting text or signature. Very Good. A war-date letter, written as the Confederates prepared to try to retake Baton Rouge.
On July 28, 1862, General John C. Breckinridge arrived at Camp Moore, located at Tangipahoa, to ready his campaign to liberate Baton Rouge, which had fallen to a Union fleet under Farragut on May 7. Breckinridge divided his 4000 men and Ruggles' 1000 into two divisions and on August 5, attacked Union troops camped on the outskirts of town and drove them back to the levee, where they were not protected by their gunboats. When the Confederate gunboat Arkansas did not arrive to disperse the Union ships, Breckinridge's troops were forced to retreat to Port Hudson. Breckingridge's attack did succeed in frightening General Butler in New Orleans, and Union troops evacuated Baton Rouge on August 21 and it was not reoccupied until December 17, when Butler's successor, Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks arrived. The hiatus between August and December allowed the Confederates to complete their river batteries and trenches at Port Hudson.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,200.
|
| |
| Realized $805 |
