Desirable war-dated ALS, one page, 4 x 6, May 17, 1862. Letter written from “Hd Qrs Cavy Brigade,” to Major E. P. Alexander, Chief of Ordnance, ADV. In full: “Have you done anything for that Blakely yet? Please attend to it at once as we are almost in daily use of it. I need carbines of long range, do make an effort to procure me a few hundred or even one or two. The 6th N[orth] C[arolina] vol[unteers] has 10, and other Inf[antr]y reg[imen]ts 20 [more], & various other non-combatants are thoroughly armed & equipped. Eradicate & eliminate for the cavalry." Intersecting folds, some scattered light toning and soiling, and a pencil notation and mounting remnants to reverse, otherwise fine condition.
Stuart had just fought in the Battle of Williamsburg when he wrote this letter. In mid-May 1862, Confederate troops were taking positions before Richmond, preparing to strike McClellan’s army before it came too close to the capital city. Stuart was charged with keeping Johnson informed of the Union position and skirmished with the advancing Federals. Johnson would attack on May 31 at the Battle of Seven Pines. In his letter to Major Edward Porter Alexander, the chief of ordnance in the Army of Northern Virginia, Stuart asks about a Blakely, a type of cannon, likely in need of repair. Alexander, an engineer and later a general, is best known for the massive artillery bombardment preceding Pickett’s Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as his use of observation balloons for intelligence. Shortly after he wrote this letter, Stuart was sent out by Robert E. Lee to locate the right flank of McClellan's forces. He not only successfully achieved his mission, but famously rode completely around McClellan's army to deliver his report to Lee. A fine letter written by one of the real heroes of the Confederacy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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