Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -

Sale 2708 - Lot 56

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(CIVIL WAR--CONFEDERATE.) Letters home by two commanders of the 16th Alabama, concluding with the fight against Sherman near Atlanta. 7 Autograph Letters Signed by John H. McGaughy and Frederick A. Ashford to Rebecca B. Harris of Russellville, AL; various sizes, minor to moderate wear. With 6 envelopes, only one bearing a postmark and stamp. Various places, 1861-1864
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Additional Details

These letters were written to Miss Rebecca Brigham Harris (1842-1914) of Russellville in northwestern Alabama; she later became Rebecca Sargent.

4 of these letters are from her sweetheart John H. McGaughy of the 15th and 16th Alabama, 1861-1863. He was commissioned as a captain; as a major he commanded the 16th at Chickamauga in 1863, where he was mortally wounded. In his first letter from near Knoxville, TN in August 1861, he announces that he has been "appointed surgeon pro tem of the regiment, not a pleasant commission by any means" as "a good many of the regiment sick, principally measles. . . . Almost wish I had stayed at home and married instead of going to the war." He passes on a rumor that "Lincoln is about to recognize our independence. Won't it be hard if we have to go back home without a fight?" His 8 August 1863 letter, written just a month before Chickamauga, discusses the replacement of General Hardee by General D.H. Hill as his corps commander.

3 other letters are from Captain Frederick A. Ashford, who was McGaughy's second in command at Chickamauga and commanded the regiment after McGaughy fell. He wrote on 31 December 1863 about the Battle of Chickamauga, "upon which field fell our mutual and much lamented friend Lt. Col. McGaughy. . . . Being left alone to command the regiment, my duties were arduous and the recent engagements, retreats &c." He also discusses the "shameful disaster" of Missionary Ridge at length: "It was with great difficulty that Genl. Bragg saved his trains from capture. Our troops, panic stricken and demoralized, rushed on regardless of orders and consequences." His final letter was dated 21 August 1864 from near Atlanta, after his promotion to colonel of the 16th: "We are daily facing the enemy and hourly fighting or expecting to attack. . . . We have been very successful in catching Sherman's raiders sent to our rear to cut our communications, catch trains &c. . . . For nearly five months we have heard nothing but the day and night passing away of sharpshooters on the skirmish lines, the singing little minnies and . . . screaming shell have become so monotonous that I see men lie down almost under the cannon's mouth and sleep soundly." Colonel Ashford died that November at the Battle of Franklin.

With--one other soldier letter signed by R.N. Harris at Fort Heiman, TN, shortly before the Battle of Fort Donelson, 31 January 1862. Also included are 4 civilian letters, 1863-1869 and undated.

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