Description:

Samuel B. Maxey
Beauchamp Springs, TX, May 19, 1865
Samuel B. Maxey ALS Regarding Burnet's Sharpshooters, One Month Before Its Surrender
ALS
A good content autograph letter signed in the dwindling days of the Civil War hostilities, one page, 8.25" x 10.5", "Camp at Beauchamp Springs [TX]", May 19, 1865. To John B. McGruder on blue lined letterhead. Folds are lightly sunned, otherwise very good.

Maxey writes: "…I have been waited on this morning by Capt. Bridges and Asst. Surg. Dailey of the Burnet's Battn bearing the enclosed note from Capt. [Benjamin D.] Martin commanding.

The Battalion is about eight miles this side of Wheelock. These officers represent an unwillingness on the part of the men to proceed.

They believe from indications that not exceeding one hundred out of three hundred would proceed. They say that the men are perfectly [missing word] to remain where they are and behave themselves until the policy to be pursued is developed. The command is some twenty five miles North of Millican [sic, Milliken]. I respectfully suggest that the command be ordered to remain for the present at their camp. Your early attention to this matter is solicited as these officers return in the morning. I would call myself but have been quite unwell for the last two days, and am advised to keep quiet…".

Less than 6 weeks after this letter, (James) Burnet's Battalion -- the 1st Battalion, Texas Sharpshooters -- surrendered at Doaksville, Indian Territory on June 23, 1865. The regiment was raised in Grayson County, TX, in Spring 1862. It moved east of the Mississippi River, and in July 1863 was assigned to Samuel Maxey's Brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, taking part in the Vicksburg operations, most notably in the battle of Milliken's Bend on June 7, 1863. It then served in the Trans-Mississippi Department and sometime during the spring of 1864 was mounted. The battalion went on to participate in various conflicts in Arkansas and the Indian Territory, and for a time was on provost duty at Marshall, Texas. At the time of this letter, it was unattached and appears to have been involved in Indian affairs shortly before its dissolution.

Col. Benjamin Dickerson Martin (1823-1891) was a Confederate captain and the namesake of "Ben Martin's Sharpshooters," raised in Hunty County, TX, May 15, 1862. It was absorbed into Burnet's Battalion.

Samuel B. Maxey (1825-1895) was a West Point Academy graduate and Mexican War veteran. When the Civil War began, Maxey was practicing law in Paris, Texas. Maxey aligned with the Confederacy, eventually recruiting and commanding the 9th Texas Regiment as its colonel. Major General Maxey and his troops did not participate in many military engagements, but they fulfilled much-needed support roles: constructing bridges, conducting raids, confiscating supplies, and monitoring the Indian situation at the western fringes of the Confederacy. In 1867, 17th U.S. President Andrew Johnson's pardon permitted the Confederate veteran to resume his law practice and serve in political office -- in his case as a Texas senator from 1875 and 1887.

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: 8.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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