Lot 243
Jackson, Thomas J. "Stonewall" (1824-1863) Confederate general; mortally wounded by his own men at Chancellorsville. Scarce battlefield Autograph Letter Signed "T.J. Jackson / Maj. Genl." 1 p, 7¼ x 4¾ in., n.p., July 24, 1862. To Maj. Gen. R.S. Ewell: "General, Please let Mr. J.S. Barbour select a couple of men from your command for the purpose of procuring information beyond our lines. Respectfully yours, T.J. Jackson Maj. Genl." Addressed in Jackson's hand at lower left to Maj. Gen. R. S. Ewell. Written in pencil on the verso are two dockets in Gen. Ewell's hand: "Mr. Barbour wishes to confer with two men from the 13th Va., he is referred to Genl. Early. July 24, 62 R.S. Ewell" and "Genl. Early will please detail the men if Mr. Barbour find[s] those he wishes…". Scattered toning and staining, but boldly penned and signed.
In an attempt to capture Richmond and thereby end the war, Union forces under McClellan had invaded the Shenandoah Valley (Peninsular Campaign, March-July 1862). Jackson successfully fought off several divisions, preventing some 50,000 men under Nathaniel P. Banks and Irvin McDowell from reinforcing McClellan. When John Pope's Army of Virginia joined McClellan in the Valley and Pope moved toward Gordonsville, Virginia, a railroad junction strategically located between Richmond and the Valley, General Lee sent Jackson to protect the town. In this letter dated July 24, Jackson orders the selection of two spies to place behind Union lines, likely hoping for information to use against Pope. On August 29th, troops under Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet attacked Pope's Army at Manassas and Pope was forced to retreat across Bull Run Creek, having lost 15,000 men. Pope was blamed for the defeat and relieved of his command.
Ewell was Stonewall Jackson's senior Major General during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Ewell lost a leg at Groveton in August 1862 but returned to the field in May 1863 to take charge of the 2nd Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia after Jackson's death at Chancellorsville. Jubal Early, who was in command of Eizey's Brigade in the 2nd Corps, took over Ewell's division when he was wounded.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $11,750 |
