Description:

(1830-1904) Confederate brigadier general who as colonel in Stuart's ride around the Union army during the Gettysburg campaign was wounded and captured. AN IMPORTANT RECOUNTING OF THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK Superb content A.L.S. ‘William H. Payne,' 6pp. 4to., Warrenton, Feb. 16, 1867 to Jubal Early concerning a book which Early wrote. Payne goes into minute details concerning the battle of Cedar Creek, in small part: ‘…I was among those who from the beginning…knew thoroughly the task you had to do...Why have you been so sparing of your notes…sitting as you now do above and beyond the reach of Federal blood hounds, are very interesting to us…I have been struck with the general accuracy of your recollections…as if written from the battlefield…My brigade was the first cavalry on the field on the morning of the 19th and I occupied the position along the Red Run. When the Yankee cavalry broke through Lomax on our left, I was withdrawn by Fitz Lee, carried across at a gallop and charged en mass upon the Yankee column. We were informed that Patton's brigade of infantry was behind us and that we would reform upon it. In advancing to the charge we came suddenly upon the rail road cut, through which we had to struggle and from which without time to reform, we continued to charge. Although it checked the enemy for a moment, yet we in due time were charged and upon falling back to here we expected to find Patton, [and] were disappointed. Indeed there were not 50 infantry near us, and it was under cover of their rail road cut that we reformed. The Yankee cavalry did not effect a crossing of the cut…the charging and counter-charging was incessant…My men never broke except to rally immediately behind Breckinridge's left and frequently where the enemies charges were in rapid succession, our infantry and cavalry mixed together in a confused mass…my right joined Breckinridge's - a small redoubt separating us. In one of the lulls of the fight. I galloped to my friend, Major McLaughlin, pointed out this redoubt and urged him to put a battery in it. He asked me, 'Can you protect it'. I replied to him, 'If six hundred men do it. It shall be done, and at any rate, it can pay for itself before it is lost'. He rode with me into the road and there massed before us in beautiful range was the Yankee cavalry. He did not hesitate one instance, but ran two guns into it…I have the satisfaction of knowing that the guns in the opinion of all who saw them made good my prediction…these were the guns you referred to as Kings. When Wharton's division fell back to the works fronting Martinsburg road. My brigade remained until they retired…we then fell back gradually through the town driving on our stragglers…the enemy who had entered by the Berryville pike were firing through the cross street as we retired. When we got out of the town on the opposite side. I reported to Gen'l. Wickham who was there with his brigade having not covered the retreat and sav[ing] the army, as he claims…the part which you ascribe to his brigade is very different from the out side opinion at the time…he remained a spectator in the deep circle watching the strife of the gladiators in the arena… to have dashed in, aye to have swooped down, with terrible effect…[with] one regiment left upon his hill would have held back the force in his front as effectually as his whole command…'. Much more excellent content. Vertical fold tear near right margin with minor paper loss not significantly affecting legibility, chip at lower left costs two or three words of text, margins a bit rough, overall good

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August 25, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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