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Civil War Letters and Telegraphs Addressed to Joseph E. Brown, Confederate Governor of Georgia, and Adjutant General Henry C. ...
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Civil War Letters and Telegraphs Addressed to Joseph E. Brown, Confederate Governor of Georgia, and Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne. An archive of thirteen letters dated November 30, 1860, to March 4, 1865 (and one undated), four telegraphs dated June 25 to December 27, 1861, and one resolution from the Georgia state assembly dated November 21, 1861. Items are written in both pencil and ink and range in size from 5" x 2.5" to 7.25" x 10.75".One of the original seven states to form the Confederate States of America, Georgia seceded from the Union on January 19, 1861, under the direction of Governor Joseph E. Brown. Brown was a fervent secessionist and firmly believed in states' rights, so much so that he often disobeyed orders from the Confederate government in Richmond. Most notably, Brown actively resisted a Confederate military draft in his state, instead preferring to keep soldiers home to fight possible invading forces. He also pushed back against the impressment of animals, goods, and slaves for the war effort and publicly denounced Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The results of such stonewalling can be seen in this diverse collection that depicts Georgia affairs at various points in the war. Letters written to Brown and Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne reflect widespread confusion surrounding payments, commissions, and overall military logistics. For example, one telegram sent on June 25, 1861 simply states, "The goods belonging to the state have been shipped through mistake to Milledgeville."
Likewise, on February 24, 1862, John Sharpe Rowland, Superintendent of the state-owned Western & Atlantic Railroad, complained of past-due payments. Writing to Brown, he relayed, "The account of the W & A RR against the confederate govt as audited is $41,284.28 I was directed by Col Myers D.M.C. Army to call on the Quarter Master at Augusta for the amt. I done so, and he replied that he had no funds. I then wrote to Col Myers to send the amt in Treasury notes to me by Southern Ex. Co. that we could not use the confederate bond, and that other Rds were being paid in treasury notes. He then returned the accounts together with my receipts for the amt which I rec.d today. I find the confederate bonds are not in demand here, capitolists prefer investing in Ga state bonds, can you use the Bonds or shall we wait longer for the treasury notes?"
In desperate need of funds after seceding from the Union, the Confederacy immediately began issuing bonds and printing currency to generate revenue. The Confederate legislature first authorized a series of 20-year 8% bonds in February 1861, just after establishing the Confederate States of America. Likewise, rebel states faced increased expenditures and sought ways to alleviate some of the fiscal pressure. Brown, ever in competition with Davis, issued 20-year 6% bonds that same month.
The Western & Atlantic Railroad functioned as an important supply line for Confederate forces. Accordingly, Superintendent Rowland exerted substantial influence on rebel military affairs. The day after his notice regarding overdue payments, Rowland again wrote to Brown, stating: "I was informed yesterday by Cas A. Maddox that there was an effort being made by certain individuals at Centerville (not the friends of yr. administration, or the Road) to have William Pritchett appointed to some office in the Quarter Master's or Commisary's Dept. either in the state of Confederate army. If the appointment is to be made by you in the state or by yr. recommendation for Confederate govt., I can assure you that some one much more acceptable + equally well qualified could be suggested to you...If the war does not impoverish + ruin the country it does seem to me that speculations back.d by the friends in power will. It is unnecessary for me to say anything to you about our troubles + difficulty here, as you no doubt can gather, one R.d is working to its almost capacity; the men are faithful."
Documents in this collection also include military decisions made by the Georgia state legislature. One resolution issued by the assembly on November 21, 1861, stated: "Whereas it appears that we have enemies in our midst who being lost to all sense of right, are burning our Bridges and committing other deprecations upon our Rail Road for the suppression and prevention of the same be it therefore Resolved That the Governor of the State of Georgia be and he is hereby authorized to attach from the different volunteer companies two men from each company or so many thereof as may be necessary to defend the Bridges on the Central and Western and Atlantic Rail Roads."
Bridge burning was a key tactic used by both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. In Georgia, attacks by both Northern forces and Georgia Unionists began soon after the declaration of secession. By the fall of 1861, Union Admiral Samuel F. Du Pont had established a base of operations on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and launched attacks along the South Atlantic coast to disrupt Confederate trade. Likewise, small communities of Georgia Unionists acted against the state by targeting supply lines.
The collection also includes three letters from Confederate soldiers to Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne regarding their commissions and positions in the army. On March 6, 1863, F.H. Lawson wrote, "I wrote to Gov Brown last week requesting a duplicate commission as aid de camp to His Excellancy [sic] as I had lost the original. You answered the letter but did not send the commission. You will confer a great favor by sending it immediately, as I am very anxious to go to Savannah and would like very much to get it before I leave. Perhaps I'de [sic] as well state that the commission will do me no good so far as any exemption is conserned [sic] for I have a substitute in the field, and am also exempt by the right of overseeing my plantation. I only desire the commission to give my position with the militia affairs when I go to Savannah."
Wealthy individuals seeking to avoid conscription in the Confederate army often hired substitutes to take their place. These replacements included men over or under the approved conscription age, those with exempted professions, or non-citizens. In general, the policy was very unpopular due to the advantages it gave elites and the Confederate legislature rescinded the policy only months after Lawson sent this letter.
On June 19, 1863, William Wilson, First Lieutenant of the 28th Ward, 102th District of the Georgia militia inquired about obtaining copies of his commission documents. He wrote, in part "The commission was issued but it having been destroyed together with some other papers by a child of mine will you please be kind enough to issue a duplicate of the same. I wrote some time ago to Col Waters about it and a gentleman by the name of Briscoe answered me; that he could not find it, but I am certain it must be somewhere, as I received the commission, and have up to the present served under it..."
Petitions for commissions and positions continued up until the month before the Confederacy officially surrendered. On March 4, 1865, A.H. Smith, a former surgeon, wrote to Governor Brown about a potential appointment. He stated, "I see by the papers that the Senate of the General Assembly has passed a Bill providing for the appointment by his Excellency the Governor an agent for each county of this state to collect the funds appropriated by said General assembly for the families of indigent soldiers. If said bill is approved by your Excellency I will be happy to receive the appointment for this (Macon) county. I can give good bond and recommendations. I have been a surgeon in the Confederate army for three years and would gladly remain in the position if I could but unfortunately I have been completely disabled in my right arm and compelled to resign. I now suffer the most excruciating nueralgia [sic] in my right arm day and night and can get no relief. I have to write with my left hand...so I hope you will excuse my style."
In total, this archive offers a glimpse into the military affairs of a Confederate state with a governor determined not to give up too many resources to the rebel cause. Documents range the entirety of the war and reflect how the war affected local politics in the Deep South.
Condition: Letter dated November 30, 1861 exhibits staining and paper loss at the top margin with two pieces of tape attached to verso, causing discoloration. Creasing along folds and intermittent staining for all documents. Minor separations present on several documents. Staining at right margin of General Assembly resolution, affecting text on recto and integral page. Dampstaining to November 28 telegraph and accompanying original transmittal cover. Irregular margins on several documents.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
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