Confederate Dossier Concerning Service at Forts Morgan

Confederate Dossier Concerning Service at Forts Morgan and Gaines, 1861-1863

Lot of 14 letters and documents related to Confederate military service in Alabama at Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, 1861-1863. The majority are handwritten recommendations of identified soldiers for appointments to specific ranks or positions. Documents primarily one page in length, ranging in size from 4.875 x 8 in. to 7.75 x 9.75 in.

Six early letters are addressed to Alabama Governor Andrew B. Moore (1807-1873), who led the state through the Confederacy's inception and the outbreak of the Civil War. Recommendations include those of Private Joseph J. Alston to the captaincy, written by Major James T. Reese, 1st Battalion Light Artillery; John F. Bond to the first or second lieutenancy; Edwin L. Hobson (WIA Chancellorsville) to the captaincy or first lieutenancy, written by J.D. Webb; and Private James S. Porter to the first lieutenancy, signed by Captain Robert W. Higgins, 12th Alabama Infantry and Second Lieutenant Samuel F. Rice, 1st Battalion Alabama Light Artillery. Remaining two letters are written by men requesting appointments for themselves: Robert Henley has been at Fort Morgan with a "fire company" since Secession was declared and Bush Jones notes that he served in the Independent Blues of Salem at Fort Morgan.

Collection features a letter addressed to "Genl. Jefferson Davis / Pres. C. States" requesting a cadet's appointment for Private John Couch, who had served at Fort Morgan. Unsigned, although possibly written by Moore in June 1861. Couch is described as having "a great thirst for a military life." Also with two petitions signed by Confederate officers, including one concerning the resignation of Second Lieutenant John J. Longmire, 23rd Alabama, stationed at Fort Morgan, as well as a letter written by Captain Henry Maury, 2nd Alabama Infantry, as Chief of Ordnance at Fort Morgan recommending John Ryan as lieutenant. Maury writes that Ryan has been "here with me ever since we took this fort acting as assistant in the Dept. of Ordnance and is a most accomplished and gallant officer - his recommendation went to he Governor signed by every single officer in this fort, and if any man here justly deserves a commission he certainly does. He would be a most valuable acquisition and an officer of whom the whole South will be proud."

Lot completed by two partially printed clothing receipts for shoes issued to Co. H, 2nd Alabama Volunteers and the 1st Battalion, Alabama Light Artillery at Fort Gaines, 1861-1862.
Condition Report: Condition varies and includes brittleness, toning, spotting, and areas of loss. Most significant damage to bottom right corner of Jefferson Davis letter.