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M. Jeff Thompson Autograph Letters (3) Signed to General Earl Van Dorn....
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Description
M. Jeff Thompson Autograph Letters (3) Signed to General Earl Van Dorn. Three letters, each one page, two measure 8.5" x 10.5" and the third measures 8" x 9"; all are written from Ponchatoula, Louisiana; two are dated August 20, 1862, and one is dated August 29, 1862. Writing fifteen days after the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Baton Rouge, Thompson writes to Van Dorn with suggestions on mounting a new attack: "I hope I will be excused for suggesting that all the movements against Baton Rouge & c. should be, for economy and strategy, made through this place. We are ten miles nearer Baton Rouge than Tangipahoa, and the march through Springfield although exposed is threatening. The Teams must come from North of here as this is a poor country and cannot furnish transportation. This order will divert and distract the Enemy between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and will cover the removal of large quantities of Sugar." He signs, "M. Jeff. Thompson M.S.G. / Brig Genl on Special Service CS." With filing dockets on verso.Writing on the same day, he sends a second letter with plans for defending the lakes. He writes: "I enclose you a communication from M Jules LeBlanc, but with the remarks that Captain Breshwood od the Navy, who is now here, was detailed for the express purpose of wrecking such parts of the Navy Boat as might be useful, and he has save all that he considers worth saving - and has recommended to his Department to sell the rest so as they lay some machinery has been saved, and some of the Guns - among which is the Bow Gun of the 'Oregon' [the CSS Oregon, which had been sunk as a blockship during the capture of New Orleans] which belongs to the Army can be saved for a short time. I can take Fort Pike at any time but some arrangements must be made to capture the Gun Boats on Lake Pontchartrain before the capture would amount to much - I am making such demonstrations as will make the enemy believe that I am after everything, and they must either reinforce everywhere or evacuate somewhere." Signed, "M. Jeff. Thompson M.S.G. / Brig/ Genl. On Special Service CSA." Clerical filing dockets on verso.
Thompson writes to Van Dorn on August 29 asking that he be allowed to continue in his endeavors: "...I am flattered by having myself associated with the Major General in the invitation to New Orleans. Unless an immediate actual move is designed on New Orleans, I would like to be permitted to continue my 'Furlough' in search of adventures, and even if actual movements are contemplated, it may be well for me to leave and let the 'Ruse de Gerre' be told as a good joke on Butler, who may thus believe the actual movement to be also a 'humbug.' - Sometimes the truth fools an enemy worse than the Story..." Signed adding his rank, with filing dockets on verso.
Thompson was commanding rams in the Confederate fleet when he wrote these letters. They reflect the urgency with which the Confederacy sought to regain lost ground in Louisiana.
Condition: One of the August 20 letters has a separation with wear along a fold, and additional small separations along the margins. August 29 letter has several ink stains and stray foxing. All three letters have light foxing and toning.
Provenance: From the Private Collection of a Mississippi Gentleman.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
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