Outstanding Confederate Cavalry Letter Brandy Station, June 13, 1863 / SOLD

Description

Outstanding Confederate Cavalry Letter

Brandy Station, June 13, 1863

 

Outstanding Confederate cavalry letter written just four days after the great Battle of Brandy Station (June 9, 1863), the largest cavalry engagement of the Civil War.

A vivid, firsthand Confederate cavalry account from one of the most important mounted battles of the war.

 

Brandy Station

June 13/63

Dear Cousin,

I received my seat this morning to scribble you a few lines, I have been very unwell since I have been over here but I am mending again, it was the change I suppose. The nights are very cool and the days very warm, we get plenty to eat once more but our horses do not fair so well, I like Virginia very well so far but I fear we will have too much fighting to do, we had a fight on the 9 it commenced early in the morning and lasted till night, our Regt was drawn up for a charge several times, we had two taken prisoners Cooper and Barber they belong to the ambulance corps also had two horses crippled by a shell, not in our company. It was a big fight to be a cavalry fight I felt very cheap all day this thing fighting with sabers is not very pleasant when it is closer than I would

I saw plenty of Yankees all day how they hurled us backwards at one time I went over the battle field next morning it was awful to see how they were killed I saw about a hundred dead yankees their intention was I think to take our entire army but we were too many for them, but I suppose you have seen a full account of the fight, I never want to be in another such a fight while the war last, I hope this cruel war will soon end so we all can return to our homes where sorrow will never will be heard of any more, I had to stop writing and go to hunt them old yankees it was reported that they were crossing the Rappahannock but it happened to be false and indeed you might be sure I was not very sorry, I begin to regret to go back to North Carolina, that is the place for me but home had her great Grand Review of the entire cavalry it was a great show lots of ladies attended on horse back, the ladies one great riders, I wish it had been so that I could of attended the commencement I know well that I could of enjoyed myself finely I know one thing I have had a good time there in past and gone by days, I wish that I could have another such a time, the chance looks a very gloomy one at this time but I am looking forward for better times, but I fear it is a long ways off, I suppose that Cousin Bob is married it seems like a marrying time but I like to hear of people marrying if it is their choice, but I don’t want them to marry my girl if they do it will hurt my feelings, I believe it would make me go crazy, sometimes now I get very near crazy, but I don’t have far to go to get that way. Cousin Em I wish you had been along with us at Petersbury I went to a Theater the performance was very nice a great many attended, I am so hungry but I can hardly make a sentence but some of the boys are getting supper that is part of the service that I dislike very much but when it comes to eating I can make a chance I know you will get tired reading this nonsense and badly composed letter, I must close by asking you to write soon I remain your friend and cousin till death

A. B. G.

P.S. Direct your letter to Richmond Care of Capt N. P. [Rowan/Rowen?] Company C, 63 Regt General Robertson’s Brigade write soon write soon

A.B.G.

The writer describes the fight as “a big fight to be a cavalry fight,” noting repeated preparations to charge and the terror of saber combat. He recounts seeing “about a hundred dead Yankees” the next morning and writes emotionally, “I never want to be in another such a fight while the war last.”

 

He references prisoners taken, horses crippled by shellfire, and reports of Yankees crossing the Rappahannock. Written from Brandy Station on June 13, 1863, and signed “A.B.G.,” the letter is directed care of Capt. N. P. Rowan, Company C, 63rd Regiment, General Robertson’s Brigade.

 

His remark that he “never want to be in another such a fight while the war last” reflects the shock even hardened cavalrymen felt after Brandy Station. Though tactically inconclusive, the battle proved that Union cavalry had matured into a formidable force — a fact Confederate troopers recognized firsthand.

 

This letter was written at Brandy Station, Virginia, on June 13, 1863 — only four days after the massive cavalry battle fought there on June 9, 1863. The Battle of Brandy Station marked the largest cavalry engagement of the Civil War, involving nearly 20,000 mounted troops.

 

Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton launched a surprise attack against J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry corps. The fighting was fierce and chaotic, with saber charges, mounted clashes, and dismounted firefights stretching from Fleetwood Hill to St. James Church.

 

This letter captures the immediate emotional aftermath of that realization.

 

Written just weeks before the Gettysburg Campaign, the letter stands at a pivotal moment — the last great cavalry battle in Virginia before Lee’s army moved north.

 

Comes housed in a 12″ x 16″ display case with maroon velvet backing and descriptive card.

 

Inventory Number: CON 664