Description:

AN ENGLISH SOLDIER OFFERS ROBERT E. LEE HIS SERVICES AS INSTRUCTOR OF PIKEMEN
A very entertaining and forthright war-date letter, 3pp. large 4to., Richmond, March 19, 1862, from an Edward King, an English soldier residing in Richmond, to Gen. Robert E. Lee, petitioning to be allowed to instruct a regiment of soldiers in the use of the pike to supplement the Confederate Army. King very earnestly lays out his qualifications and his belief that such a force will benefit the Confederate cause, in full: ‘Sir, I am desirous to bring to your notice the following facts, in explanation of my anxiety to serve the Government in a sphere useful and necessary – which up to this time I have been unable to do – On the breaking out of the present War, I was among the very first to offer to [Virginia ] Gov'r [John] Letcher my services to be employed in advance Outpost Duty – to which no reply was received – later, it was found necessary to organize the Quarter Master's Department, and in this I was employed four months, at the end of which time I resigned; - office work not suiting my taste – and so many aspirants to fill every position. I considered it a duty to give my place to a Refugee, - At the time I was so Employed I was named to you as a ‘Drill Master' - and you told me that, there was no allowance nor authority to employ such. Now Sir, I again renew to you my willingness to Drill with ‘Sword' or the ‘Pike' any of the Confederate Forces, - in connection with the latter Weapon, General Green has spoken to me to proceed to ‘Georgia' to drill the Reserves. Having spent 10 ½ years in the English Army under Lord [Hugh] Gough, Sir Henry Smith and others I know that in the capacity of Drill Instructor I can render efficient Service, and especially so with the ‘Pike' or ‘Sword' – The time has arrived I think for an organization of Pikemen. What General is there who would not hail with delight 5,000 or 10,000 Pikemen coming down on the flank of an Enemy just in the Turn of Battle? At close quarters neither Cavalry nor Infantry are a match against this Weapon – and as we cannot arm enough men with Rifles & Muskets, would it not be proper to try the effect of the Pike? The manual for the Pike can be taught a Reg't in one week. General, I am not a Soldier taught by Books. I am a practical Soldier who rose from the Ranks to a Serg't Major of as fine a Reg't as ever paraded. I am not ambitious for Rank nor Pay – neither will money induce me to fight! – I am an Englishman still, and shall so remain – no Earthly power shall ever tempt me to swear against my Queen and Country! – but I will serve you as I have served Her – faithfully – (both of my sons are now in your service) but I never will consent to the derision of being a Militiaman (in which of course I am exempt by Law-) The South is about to be tried by the Fire and Sword and every man in the South ought to have his place. I have a Family of Eight to support by my own Labour and I do not own a foot of ground nor any other property in this Country but I am perfectly willing to undertake the Instruction of your Reserves or any other forces – all I ask in return is fairness, that is for the man who does the work to receive his proper reward. In the Quarter Master's Dept. I had all the work – 16 hours per diem Sundays and week days whilst the Asst. Quarter Master was riding about all day long – and I retired in disgust. When wanted, I am to be found at my place of Business on Main St. between 7th and 8th.' The bold Englishman signs at the conclusion, before adding a post-script enclosing a response to his proposal received from Alabama governor John Gill Shorter, noting: ‘...the idea of a State like ‘Alabama' not being able to afford to pay an Instructor of 1,000 men is to me simply ridiculous – if men are Armed, learn them how to use their arms effectively.' The letter shows original mailing folds with some 1 in. splits thereto at the edges, repaired with cello tape, with a split between the two sheets, and is mildly toned throughout, but otherwise in very good condition overall. It is accompanied by the aforementioned manuscript L.S. from JOHN GILL SHORTER (1818-1872), 1p. 4to., Montgomery, Feb. 3, 1862, gently turning down King's proposal: ‘...I have to inform you that there is but one regiment now in Alabama to be armed with Pikes – it is not yet organized and if it were the State could not incur an expense for its instruction in the use of the Pike which would adequately compensate a gentleman of your skill and experience as instructor in the use of that weapon.' Shorter signs in black ink at the conclusion. This letter shows original mailing folds and is mildly toned at the top edge and bottom left, otherwise in fine condition. Two pieces. Although there is no recorded instance of Confederate soldiers actually using pikes in battle, the weapon was ordered by ‘Stonewall' Jackson while outfitting his corps, which he later justified by pointing to the inability of the Confederate supply system to reliably provide ammunition or replacement rifles, leaving pikes as an option for advancing on a position after running out of bullets.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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