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Lot 304
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Rebel Soldier Re: Meeting Grant & Confed Generals Polk & Pillow for Prisoner Exchange
Rebel Soldier Re: Meeting Grant & Confed Generals Polk & Pillow for Prisoner Exchange
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Description:

Civil War
Camp Johnson, MO, October 24, 1861
Rebel Soldier Re: Meeting Grant & Confed Generals Polk & Pillow for Prisoner Exchange
ALS

[CIVIL WAR.] Edward T. Worthington, Autograph Letter Signed, to father [William W. Worthington], October 24, 1861, Camp Johnson, Missouri. 3 pp., 7.625" x 9.75". Edge tears with minor losses; some separation on folds.

Edward T. Worthington served with the Bolivar Troop of the 1st Battalion of Mississippi Cavalry in 1861 and 1862. His twin brother, William W. Worthington, was a first lieutenant in the Bolivar Troop. He wrote this letter from Camp Johnston, an observation post near Belmont, Missouri, across the Mississippi River from Columbus, Kentucky.

The letter briefly describes a meeting on October 23, 1861, between Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate Generals Leonidas Polk and Gideon J. Pillow, to discuss the exchange of prisoners.

Historical Background
In the fall of 1861, Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was in command of a district from his headquarters in Cairo, Illinois, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Although Kentucky initially declared neutrality in the developing Civil War, Confederate forces under Major General Leonidas Polk occupied Columbus, Kentucky, on the Mississippi River approximately eighteen miles south of Cairo, Illinois, on September 3, 1861. Three days later, Grant seized Paducah. For the next two months, an uneasy stalemate settled over the area. Polk had about 5,000 troops guarding Columbus, but across the river, near the hamlet of Belmont, Missouri, Polk had established the small observation post of Camp Johnston (named for senior Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston), likely the location from which this letter was written.

When Union Major General John C. Fremont learned that the Confederates planned to reinforce their troops in Arkansas, he ordered Grant on November 1 to make a feint toward Columbus to keep Polk's troops there. On November 6, Grant led 3,100 men in two brigades on steamboats down the river. They landed on the Missouri side of the river, and when Polk learned of Grant's movements, he sent Brigadier General Gideon J. Pillow to Belmont to resist Grant. Grant's forces drove the Confederates from their defensive positions and soon occupied Camp Johnston. As Grant's forces returned to their transports with two captured guns and 106 prisoners, Confederate reinforcements from Columbus landed and attacked, supported by artillery from Columbus. Union gunboats exchanged fire with the Confederate batteries. The Union forces fought their way back to their boats and steamed back to Paducah.

Although Union and Confederate losses were roughly equal, the Confederates claimed victory as they had driven off Grant's attack. In contrast, Grant believed he had accomplished the strategic goal of preventing Polk from reinforcing the Confederates in Arkansas. The Battle of Belmont was also Grant's first combat test, and in a period when many Union commanders were timid about engaging the Confederates, the battle gave President Abraham Lincoln a positive impression of Grant.

Complete Transcript
Camp Johnson Oct 24th 1861
Dear Father
Yours & Mothers letters (together) were recd four or five days ago which was the first we have heared from you since Wm left. I had almost given up the idea of hearing again.
We have had no more skirmishes, though we go out scouting regular two or three times a week. We have been looking for orders to leave here for Bowlingreene Ky now for three or four days. This morning our Capt was told he would be here but a few days now so I hope from that it will not be long before we will leave here Not more that eight or ten thousand troops are here & about Columbus now All the rest have been moved twords Bowlingreen Lincoln had a little propella (Sampson) to come down yesterday with Genl Grant & other officers You never saw men so glad to see each other as Gra[nt] Polk & Pillow Old Sam Montgomery who used [to] run the Montgomery & other boats (We have traveled with him often) was Capt of her Their Officers & Ours had big times together drinking &c I guess from the glasses I saw They came to exchange prisoners Tell mother to make me a couple of flannel shirts (under shirts) also Spence a couple & send by you I have had the worst headache I have ever had & for five days straight ahead The Dr here told me I must not take quinine for that would make it much worse After I had it the fifth day Will M told me I needed both quinine & bluemass & mixed me a dose of both & I took it & woke up like a new man next morning I dont know when I was ever more relieved for most of the time I could hardly see with it. I am in hopes if a return of it appears I will be able to manage it better. They have but little medicine here in our company worse fixed for sickness than I expected in that respect when one is sick much though they never let him stay in camp but go out in the country & get a nice bed & room for him. All the newness of a soldiers life has now worn off though still I like it very much for I am with the right kind of men & men that it is a great pleasure to be with. We have music & singing nearly every night & a great many other little amusements of that kind—with a vast deal of gass—seeing who can tell the biggest & most [r]easonable yarn so in that way we keep in [f]ine spirits most of the time
George Hunt came to me the other day & told me that [h]e had been offered $400 for my horse & that if I would sell him he would show me the man that would give it. But I told him $500 or no trade Some fellow let loose a horse the other night & my horses tail was chewed off. I dont [know?] when I was more vexed It disfigures him more than any thing that could have been done to him When you come up to see us if you will bring me a horse that can run well I don't care about his pacing but he must run I'll e you have the black These fellows here only valued him at $225 so if he is killed that is all I will get for him bring me the gray mare if she is in good order & Ill swap with you. I have no news of importance so I will close.
Your aff Son
Ed T. Worthington
PS. Oct 26th We have just recd information stating we will be stationed here for the winter. I am afraid it is true though we havent orders yet to fix up for the winter I will hope for leaving until orders are recd anyhow for it is my greatest desire to go on as far away as possible. If we take winter quarters here It will not be longer than Christmas before I will get a furlough to come home & stay two or three weeks.
I feel entirely relieved of my headache so I am all right again. My love to Mother Sallie & Mary & All of Uncle Samls folks & best respects to Miss Georgie Richardson
Yours &
E T W

Edward T. Worthington (1840-1902) was born as a twin in Kentucky, and in 1850 lived with his parents in Washington County, Mississippi. During the Civil War, he served as a sergeant in the Bolivar Troop of the 1st Battalion of Mississippi Cavalry. The unit was in Kentucky in late 1861 and early 1862. In 1870, he was again living with his parents and siblings in Washington County, Mississippi, where he established his own farm. In his 1902 will, he left all of his property to his brothers and sisters.

William W. Worthington (1802-1886) was born in Kentucky. In 1837, he married Elizabeth Payne Thompson (1818-1911) in Kentucky, and they had at least six children. By 1840, they settled in Washington County, Mississippi, where he built the Belmont Plantation in the late 1850ss. He also became a physician.

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: 7.625" x 9.75"
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