Description:

C.S.A. DOG RIVER COTTON FACTORY RECRUIT''S LETTER
War-date Confederate soldier''s letter(s) written to Martha J. Wideman of Sumter Co., Ala., Dog River factory, [Camp Goode], Mobile, Ala., July 18, 1862. The front of the letter was written by Pvt. Thomas Wideman, Co. A, 40th Alabama Vols., reading in part: "Dear sister…yesterday was the first day I have drilled since I have been here. We are going to move from here two miles from Mobile. We will commence moving tomorrow. I had rather stay here for we have good houses here to stay [in] and when we leave here we will have to go in tents. There is some sickness here…there is about 40 sick in the hospital…Alexander Paterson [Pvt. James A. Patterson] died night before last. He requested the capt. before he died to send him [home] but he could not get him off…there was one of our regiment [who] shot two of his fingers off in order to try to get a discharge, but I think he will miss it. I do not like a soldier''s life much nor do I…believe any on else does. Since we have got a new commissary we fare a good deal better in the way of provisions. We get plenty to eat…your Brother, Thomas Wideman. On the verso, Pvt. Edward G. Hammond writes, in part: "…we are a going to move from here tomorrow in two miles of Mobile. I am in the hospital a waten [waiting] on the sick…it is hard work seten up [setting up] so much, but I stand it fine…I hope I will stay in good health for it is the great blessing of God. It is through his goodness that it is so. I hear of fighting every day or two but not near here and I don''t look for it…E. G. Hammond to M. J. Wideman." Hammond''s phonetic spelling has been corrected. Also included is the original transmittal cover with a double pair of five-cent Jeff Davis stamps postmarked Mobile, Ala., July 19, 1862. For many years all Civil War collectors have heard of the "Dog River" sword factory. In fact, the Dog River Cotton Factory was a cotton mill located five miles southwest from Mobile, Alabama along the banks of the Dog River. In September, 1861 the mill burned but the remaining buildings were used as a recruitment camp for fresh Southern volunteers. This letter indicates that the long-held belief that there was a "Dog River" sword factory was incorrect: it was instead a Confederate recruitment camp known as "Camp Goode".

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000