Description:

C.S.A. GEN. ROSWELL S. RIPLEY IS ACCUSED OF DRUNKENNESS
Revealing letter in which C.S.A. Brig. Gen. is accused of drinking before assuming command at Fort Sumter, submitted in the course of an investigation which Ripley's detractors hoped would result in his court martial. The letter, a copy written as evidence to be produced at Ripley's hearing, was penned by 1st Lt. W. G. Ogier in response to a request by a Lt. Roman, Asst. Insp. Gen. of the West, asking if Ripley had been drunk on the night of Oct. 8, 1864. On that night, nearby Morris Island had been under Union naval fire and Ripley had been in overall command. Ogier replied from Fort Sumter in this copy, a 1p. 4to. letter dated Dec. 15, 1864: "...It is my opinion that on the night of October 8th Brig. Genl. Ripley when at this post, tho to my knowledge he had been drinking, was not drunk, or in any way incapable of attending to his duties. I am unaware of anything in his conduct on that occasion prejudicial to good order or military discipline...". The letter is docketed on verso and marked "Exhibit D". Very good. In late 1864, while in command of the district including Charleston, Ripley was accused of drunkenness and incompetence, particularly following recent Union attacks upon Morris Island in Charleston harbor. Beauregard returned to Charleston just in time to oversee the investigation which nearly accumulated enough evidence to warrant a court martial. Indeed, a number of officers stepped forward to claim Ripley had: "...a looseness of morals...rollicking habits..." and a host of much more vitriolic attacks. Ripley soon sought escape from his tormentors in Charleston and was transferred to a command under Joe Johnston - just in time for the disaster at Bentonville.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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