144. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH (1818 - 1867) Confederate brigadier general who later became Secretary of War, serving only eight months due to many disputes with President Jefferson Davis. Very rare war-date A.L.S. "Geo. W. Randolph" as Secretary of War, 1p., 4to., Richmond, Feb. 21, 1863, to "Brig Genl. Jno. H. Winder / P.A.C.S.", the CSA Provost Marshal General at Richmond. In part: "...Allow me to recommend to you for a passport Mrs. J. L. O'Neal who wishes to go North for the purpose of joining her husband. Mr. O'Neal is a Southerner in business at the North but loyal to the South and devoted to our cause. He frequently communicated with me, and was in constan[t] danger of arrest, having frequently to leave Philadelphia to avoid it. Mrs. O'Ne[al] is of a loyal family and may be trusted without danger...". Chipped at right margin, with 2" paper gouge affecting only two words, otherwise a good example of a very rare Confederate cabinet member. John Henry Winder was the notorious commandant of such infamous prisons in the Confederacy as Libby, Belle Isle and Andersonville. $700 - 900