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Civil War Soldier's Letter by Martin L. Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry with Siege of Fort Morgan Content.. ...
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Description
Civil War Soldier's Letter by Martin L. Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry with Siege of Fort Morgan Content.Four pages of a bifolium, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches, Mobile Point, Alabama; August 22-24, 1864. Quartermaster Martin Luther Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry writes to his wife over three days during the Siege of Fort Morgan, providing a detailed firsthand account of the bombardment and surrender of the Confederate stronghold guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay. Moore begins his letter on August 22, describing the heavy shelling of the fort:
"I arrived here yesterday about noon found the troops in good spirits and working similar to the Vicksburg Siege...Ft. Morgan has been shelling our camp similar to the way they shelled us at VBurg so that the Boys have their Bomb proofs to crawl into to evade the bursting shells...Many hundred shots have been poured into Ft Morgan, but with what effect tis hard for me to judge. There is a strong force here good mortar Batteries Siege guns...and Gunboat fleet comded by Admiral Farragut, making seemingly a force strong enough to take Ft Morgan or any other force they could possibly muster..."
Writing again the next morning, August 23, in magenta cross-hatched ink, Moore reports the fort's surrender after weeks of bombardment:
"I am happy to be able to inform you before closing this letter, that the Rebel Fort Morgan raised the White Flag this morning and formal occupation was taken by our forces at 2 PM this day...they objected to surrendering to Genl Granger the Commander of the land forces but insisted on Surrendering to Adml Farragut. But I am quite confident that Granger is the the [sic] man to receive the Sword of the Reb traitor Gen Paige who was in command...My plan would be to make him a target for 50 minie rifles. Our leniency and kindness to Reb Prisoners has been a Byword amongst the Reb soldiers, and I think it high time some examples were made that give them a clear understanding of what to expect...most of them are a kind of trash without any principal farther than self interest is concerned..."
He concludes with an account of the aftermath, noting the damage to the Confederate defenses and the casualties suffered:
"Some of the boys have returned who have been to visit the fort, they say our guns did wonderful execution in dismounting their guns and battering up the fort, but the chivalric rebs spiked their best guns and destroyed what stores they could. 3 are said to have been killed and 16 wounded."
Moore adds a brief postscript dated August 24: "Good morning a fine morning and all well. ML."
Condition: Lightly toned. Smoothed folds, with a few small separations not affecting text. Minor soiling throughout.
Auction Info
2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6325 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
8th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
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