77

"God alone can rescue us from ruin"

Letters to David Copeland Randolph with inside discussion of the war.

Richmond, VA and elsewhere, bulk 1861-1865
13 items, various sizes; condition generally strong. 

  • Notes: These letters were written to David Coupland Randolph (1804-1886) of Gravel Hill, VA. Includes:

    F.P. Page in Lexington to sister Harriet Page Randolph (wife of David), 10 July 1861. Discusses a family member's account of the recent Battle of Hoke's Run: "Once they were drawn up in battle array facing a flank of the enemy, but the cowards retreated and our men went off nearer to Winchester until they got sufficient force. . . . The wretches had maltreated and destroyed the property of secessionists and horrible to tell the outrages on helpless females." 

    W.D. Gibson in Richmond to "Cousin Copeland," 20 May 1862. "It is not thought now that the gunboats can pass our batteries. It is believed that the south side of the river will be the theatre of the conflict. . . . A considerable part of the crew of the Monitor has been captured." 

    S.L. Mosby in Richmond to Mr. Randolph, 9 September 1862. Discusses relative Mann Page and Second Bull Run: "He had on Thursday a severe chill, next day fever, and was not allowed to join his regiment, of which he had been in command since poor Col. Cunningham's death. Mr. Bob Hett was wounded in his arm, and had to walk to the Rapidan, then take an old four-horse wagon forty miles to enable him to reach the city, which he did yesterday without a mouthful to eat for 48 hours. He said that Mann was better, that over-fatigue on that terrible march had prostrated him. To hear what Jackson's army endured without food is marvelous. . . . General Lee's horse became restive in Saturday's battle and he sprained his wrist. . . . The Yankee slaughter was awful."

    J.R. Page to Uncle Coupland, 4 April 1865. "I could get no further than Farmville yesterday, and there I learned very sad news for us and our cause. Richmond was given up Sunday night about 2 o'clock; Petersburg is also abandoned. . . . I heard nothing from Pa, but as he did not come up in the train, I suppose he could not make his way thro the great crowd that was trying to get off from Richmond on the cars. I left all my clothes, except what I have on, bonds, money, in a word everything, in Richmond. . . . God alone can rescue us from ruin." 

    William H. Richardson as Adjutant General of Virginia in Richmond to Randolph, 5 letters, 1862-1863 and 1867. William Harvie Richardson (1795-1876) had been an officer in the War of 1812. After secession, he was appointed as adjutant general of the Virginia militia. His 14 April 1862 letter depicts Shiloh as a great Confederate victory: "The victory in the west is the most important yet gained, & if we can hold it against their immense reinforcements, it will prove a stunning blow to the d'd Yankees. . . . Our gallant fellows will put them to rout. Johnston, however, is an irreparable loss. He has not left his equal." He also expresses scorn for a regiment that had been left to defend Norfolk: "The poor fellows are doing nothing at Norfolk and will not be if Huger remains in command. . . . I have seen many an old woman in short gown & petticoats that in my estimation would have been more efficient than the commander of that important military post." The Union took Norfolk two weeks later. Richardson's 25 May 1863 letter complains that he had not been offered a field command in the Confederate army.

    4 other items: 1863 letter by William H. Richardson Jr. and the mercantile firm of Gibson & Watkins; an 1864 letter mentioning Richardson; and an 1856 receipt.
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