400. HAMPTON LEAGUE OFFICER NEARLY CAPTURED BY COLORED TROOPS A great war-date Confederate officer's letter, 2pp. 4to., in ink by 2nd Lt. William V. Whiterspoon, Co. C, Hampton's South Carolina Legion, Hd. Qrs. Gary's Cavalry Brigade, [Petersburg, Va.], Nov. 8, 1864 to his friend Harvey on the news of the regiment and of almost being captured by colored troops. In part: "...we have had one fight & are looking for another...it appears to be the...impression that the next attack will be by water & land. There is a considerable fleet collecting in the Hampton Roads &...about thirty iron clads are coming up the James River...no doubt we will have music in a few days...the [Union] Negroes [troops] came very near getting about one hundred of the [Hampton] Legion. I among the crowd. I have not heard a word from Preach yet. I begin to fear that he was killed. I will advertise him in a few days & see if we can get an information of his death or his whereabouts. We have heard from several that were taken about the same time...[Pvt. G. Whitfield] Plowden joined us yesterday. He [was] exchanged with [Pvt. J. M.] Gamble. I think we can effect an exchange for...[John C.] Bagnall...I am acting ordnance officer for the Brigade...". Overall a great letter with a rather derogatory reference to the colored troops used by the federal government in the campaign to capture Petersburg. Weak at fold with negligible paper loss affecting only a few words, toned folds, in fragile but good state. $200-300