Description:

John B. Magruder
n.p., but Camden, AK, n.d., but ca. Fall 1864
John B. Magruder ALS Instructing TX & AR Infantry & Rangers to Reconnoiter Little Rock
ALS
A 1p autograph letter signed by Confederate Major General John Bankhead Magruder (1807-1871) as "JB Magruder / Mjr Genl / Comg" at lower right. N.d. but ca. Fall 1864. N.p. but almost certainly Camden, Arkansas. Inscribed on laid blue-lined paper, likely once bifold as evidenced by the sheared right edge. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Isolated wrinkles and a few tiny chipped edges, else near fine. 7.125" x 9.125."

Major General Magruder wrote this letter to Major Michael Looscan (1838-1897) of the 31st Texas Cavalry Regiment (erroneously addressing him with the rank of a lieutenant colonel in the letter.) Magruder first ordered Looscan to personally reconnoiter Federal positions near Little Rock, Arkansas. Second, Magruder informed Looscan that Colonel Isham Chisum (1818-1884), of the 2nd Texas Partisan Rangers, was planning to link up with Colonel John L. Logan of the 11th Arkansas Mounted Infantry, a force active in the region, to help Looscan in operations against Little Rock. (As an interesting aside, Chisum had been arrested and court-martialed on Magruder's orders on September 16, 1864 for reasons that remain unclear.)

Magruder wrote in full, with punctuation silently added to improve clarity:

"To Lt Col Looscan:

The order for Chisum's Regiment to report to Coln. Logan has been sent by Lieut. Muddy [?]. It is unnecessary to repeat it. The order for Coln. Logan to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Little Rock & endeavor to [?] some Federal personally to gain information. I wish [it] sent mark'd 'important' & to be sent from Camden with out delay to Coln. Logan. I wish sent by courier to Camden today & from Camden without delay to Coln. Logan, informing Coln. Logan, that Chisum's Regiment is ordered to report to him temporarily for that purpose.

JB Magruder
Mjr Genl Comg."

Confederate General Sterling Price had led a raid towards the Union stronghold at St. Louis, Missouri in mid-September 1864, hoping to affect the 1864 U.S. presidential election. In conjunction with Price, Magruder, who was then commander of the Department of Arkansas, ordered his forces to attack Union garrisons at and near Little Rock, Arkansas.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.125" x 9.125"
  • Medium: ALS

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