184. COLORED TROOP ARCHIVE IN RECONSTRUCTION-ERA SOUTH CAROLINA A good late war-date group of three United States Colored Troops documents and two letters related to the military career of 1st Lt. Willington Wood, 104th USCT while he commanded the military post at Beech Branch, South Carolina, between May 1865 through January 1866. First, partly-printed document, 1p. 4to., signed in type by Maj. Gen. Rufus Saxton, on "Headquarters, Superintendent Recruitment and Organization Colored Troops" letterhead, Beaufort, S. C., May 4, 1865 appointing Wood from a corporal in the 157th New York to lieutenant in the 104th. With an L. S. by Bvt. Lt. Col. Stuart M. Taylor, on the same stationery as the above, Beaufort, S. C., May 5, 1865 granting Lt. Wood to go to Hilton Head to procure a new uniform; a 4pp. folio, sutler's accounting list dated between May 1865 and June 1866 kept by sutler C. W. Dennis for supplies and equipment sold to Lt. Wood for his personal and military use. By the end of the fiscal year, Wood had amassed a bill of nearly $400.00 during which time he paid $20.00 back. Just days later, borrowed the money back through a cash loan. Plus a A.L.S. 1p. 4to., in ink by Lt. Wood, Hilton Head, S. C., Dec. 10, 1865 addressed to his former commander, Col. James C. Carmichael requesting a letter of recommendation attesting to his personal character and military skills in an effort to gain a position in the regular army. Finally, an A.L.S. 1p. folio, by Lt. Wood, Beaufort, S. C., Jan. 13, 1866 to the editor of the Nation, New York City addressing allegations of brutality brought against him in the newspaper. In part: "My attention has been called to an article in your paper in which your Special correspondent says, 'the officer at Beech Branch is reported as assisting the planters in acts of injustice and cruelty to the freedman. In one case a woman and her children were brutally whipped and driven off the place after the crop was harvested. Two men were tied up four feet from the ground and left more than two hours.' Allow me to say that your special correspondent has been misinformed. I was in command at Beech Branch to Nov. 12, 1865 and nothing of the kind occurred the course I took at Beech Branch was such as to meet the approval of my superior officers. I had one object in view and that was to render impartial justice to both black and white. By publishing the above you will render a simple act of injustice to [me]". Wood served throughout the war in the 157th New York taking part in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Honey Hill, S. C. until he was promoted at the end of the conflict into the USCT. Minor spotting, else very good. $400 - 600