Lot 226
Morgan, John Hunt (1825-64) Confederate general and raider. Manuscript Letter Signed ("Jno H Morgan") as "Col Comd. Brigd", Hd. Qtrs. Gallatin, Tenn., November 11, 1862. One page quarto. Addressed to Major General Breckinridge, Commanding Forces at Murfreesboro. The text says, in full:
Genl. Your dispatch was received and I immediately replied assuring you of my readiness to cooperate in your intended movements. Accompanying I have the honor to send a number of documents which were captured this morning. You may find them useful. Among them you will find a map giving an accurate description of the defences of Nashville.
I beg that you will preserve these papers and when you have made such use of them as you desire, send them back.
The letter is written on blue ruled paper which is watermarked, "KENT MILLS Improved 1852." Faint toning and small edge splits at folds, otherwise in Fine condition. This letter was obtained from the estate of General Breckinridge by the consignor's grandfather many years ago and has never been on the market. The documents to which Morgan refers are not with the letter, probably having been returned to Morgan as requested.
1862 was a busy year for Morgan. Promoted Colonel on April 4, 1862, he led his men on a thousand-mile raid through Kentucky from July 4 to August 1, then led another raid on Gallatin, Tennessee in late summer, and on Kentucky again in October. Five weeks after he wrote this letter, on December 11, he was appointed Brigadier General. On December 14, he married Martha "Matty" Ready; their wedding was officiated by General Leonidas Polk and attended by Generals Braxton Bragg, William J. Hardee, Benjamin Cheatham, and John C. Breckinridge. During the Murfreesboro Campaign, he led a mounted division into Kentucky from December 21, 1862 through January 1, 1863 against Rosecrans' supply lines. Morgan's swift and daring raids into Union-held Tennessee and Kentucky wreaked destruction on Union supply lines and garrisons and made him a legend in the South. On September 4, 1862, he was surprised by Federal troops and killed at Greenville, Tennessee.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
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| Realized $6,900 |
