Description:

John Hunt Morgan
McMinnville, TN, June 14, 1863
John Hunt Morgan War-Date Letter Written During his Great Raid!
ALS
A extremely rare war-date autograph letter signed by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan "Jno. H. Morgan Brig. Gen.", one page, 8" x 6.25", "Hd. Qrs. Morgan's Div," McMinnville, TN, June 14, 1863. On "adversity" letterhead to D. G. Reed, Major and Assistant Adjutant General in General Joseph Wheeler's Corps. Two rusted spots at left side of letter, otherwise very good condition.

In part: "...As Col. [Richard Montgomery] Gano, a member of the examining board appointed for this division under the Act of Congress, to relieve the Army of incompetent, disqualified and disabled officers, has been transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department, I would respectfully respect that another officer be appointed in his stead, and would suggest the name of Major Theo. Steele of Gano's Regiment as an officer suitable in every respect to fill the vacancy…".

From June 11 - July 23, 1863, Morgan staged his most important and dangerous raid. Without obtaining General Joseph Wheeler's blessing, he and his 2000 men crossed into Indiana and Ohio from Kentucky. "Pursued by superior forces, he commenced a wild ride through the suburbs of Cincinnati, and east. The ride was so fast, fifty to sixty miles a day, and his column was so harassed by swarms of home guards, that Morgan's men became exhausted, with the result that when their pursuers caught up with them on July 19... most of the command surrendered. Morgan himself rode on, but was surrounded near New Lisbon, Ohio, and on July 26 surrendered. This raid destroyed Morgan's division... but it drew large Federal forces from in front of Bragg's army, and saved East Tennessee to the Confederacy for several months" [Dictionary of American Biography].

John Hunt Morgan (1825-1864) began his famous Confederate raids early in 1862, when as captain of a select company of Kentucky cavalrymen he harassed the Federals by capturing men behind their lines, taking entire trains, and destroying innumerable supplies. After a year of spectacular successes, which included the capture of over 1700 Yankees at Hartsville, TN, Morgan was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Richard Montgomery Gano (1830-1913) was a Confederate Brigadier General, physician and pastor, best remembered as Colonel of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry who took part in the invasion of Kentucky in the fall of 1862, then commanded the 1st Cavalry Brigade under Morgan. In August 1863 and after Morgan's exhausting raid, remnants of Morgan's depleted raid joined Gano. He then commanded his own brigade and that of Nathan Bedford Forrest at Chickamauga.

Little is known of Morgan's recommended officer, Theodore Steele, and he is certainly worthy of further research!

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: 8" x 6.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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