Description:

JOHN HUNT MORGAN AND ADAM R. "STOVEPIPE" JOHNSON
(1825-1864) Confederate brigadier general known for cavalry raids in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio, killed in action near Greenville, Tenn. Rare war date A.E. S. "Morgan" in the text on the verso of an A.L.S. of Col. ADAM R. 'STOVEPIPE' JOHNSON, 1p. 4to., "Headquarters Morgans Cavalry" Decatur, Ga., Mar. 3, 1864. Johnson writes to Morgan, in most part: "After the conversation I had with you on yesterday I can not understand your order of this morning. Is it intended by you to take command in person? Yesterday you stated that 'You desired me to make all necessary [word missing] for the removal of the command.' to day Your orders simply imply that it is unnecessary for me to make any arrangements for other than the dismounted men. If you do not design taking direct Command, I must respectfully ask that your Quarter Master, Maj. Lewellyn should remain subject to your orders alone; For I can certainly make arrangements more suitable to myself without his assistance. If my construction be correct, that is that you have taken command. The orders will be cheerfully and strictly carried out..." On the docket, Morgan writes: "Hd. Qrs Morgan's Cav'y Decatur Ga. Mch 3/64 Col. A. R. Johnson = Asking explanation of orders in regard to moving dismounted men - also as to extend of his command &c." Upon his return to the Confederacy after his escape from a maximum security prison, Morgan returned to a hero's welcome. He travelled to Decatur, Georgia in March 1864 to visit his old command and was shocked to find terrible conditions in the camps, with his men suffering from a shortage of weapons, rations, equipment, uniforms, and horses. It was in the wake of this discovery that Morgan received and replied to this letter from Johnson. The comments were perhaps his way of trying to understand why a subordinate officer like Johnson would be asking for an explanation of the extent of his command, as Morgan had not officially been placed in charge. Morgan would be killed six months later during a Union raid on Greenville Tennessee. Minor loss repaired with period paper on verso resulting in the loss of two or three words of text, minor toning from glue remnants, usual folds, else very good condition.

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December 16, 2010 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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