Lot 344
Stuart, James Ewell Brown "Jeb" (1833-1864) Confederate general. War-date autograph letter signed ("J.E.B. Stuart") as Brigadier General Commanding, with postscript initialled ("JEB"), 2¼ pages, 7 x 4½ in, "Hd. Qrs. Rear Forces A[rmy] of P[otomac], Near Warrenton [Virginia]," March 12, 1862. To "Dear General" (Joseph E. Johnston was in command of the Army of the Potomac at this time] reporting on information obtained by his spies: "A Mr. Baker who was at Manassas last night gives me some interesting items from that vicinity. The enemy took possession of Manassas about 10 or 11 a.m. yesterday and were pitching their tents there last evening, about 300 wagons cam with them. They had a picket at Bristol & Catletts. The foregoing items he got from a negro woman about dusk yesterday but he says he saw and conversed with an officer who was posting his pickets. They had several Louisiana Tigers prisoners whom they interrupted continuing the burning. Mr. Baker says he saw Tents around the Lewis house about sundown. He heard their pickets were at Groveton. I sent a scout down the road today to see if there was any force in motion this way. Mr. Baker says he lives near Salem & went into the Yankee lines thinking they were ours till he saw the negro woman he'd referred to. Many tents were visible about Centreville. In haste Yours truly…." Staining to first and last (blank) page.
The movements reported to Stuart were at the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign, a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862 and commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, with the objective of capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond. In March 1862, Stuart was given command of all the cavalry brigades in what would soon become the Army of Northern Virginia, renamed from Army of the Potomac two days after Stuart wrote this letter. On May 31, 1862, General Johnston was severely wounded at the Battle of the Seven Pines and on June 1, 1862, General Robert E. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $7,500 |
