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Henry Heth

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Henry Heth

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Auction Date:2014 Apr 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Confederate general (1825–1899) generally blamed for inadvertently starting the Battle of Gettysburg. Civil War–dated ALS signed “H. Heth,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, Richmond, Virginia, June 26, 1861. Letter to General John B. Floyd. In part: “I shall be compelled to remain here for a few days longer…I hope for the good of the cause…I can get medical supplies, not before I have made out to-day, and get approved, requisitions for clothing & garrison equipage, drums, &c for Reynold’s Regt. Please send to me by telegraph the names of the parties you desire appointed Regimental Commissaries of Subsistence, one for each Regiment…I will follow up the nominations and get them appointed…Tent cloth can not be furnished, but new tents will. No chance of getting up a Band. Fering will come up with me, some difficulty about Hood. I sent a reliable person all over town yesterday to hunt up bakers…the best chance will be at Lynchburg…The President is very desirous that the companies furnish their own Mountain rifles. I wrote to Maj. Ramseur…whom Banks informs me had a fair Company of Artillery horses, cannon & all the necessary equipments. I told him you would accept his Company in your brigade…Ramseur says a fight is now going on near Yorktown.” Heth adds a brief postscript, signed “H. H.,” on the reverse of the last page, in full: “Plan to telegraph me, say when and I will try and hurry them up.” Second integral page is professionally inlaid into a slightly larger sheet. In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds.

Heth resigned his commission in the US Army when Fort Sumter was attacked, defecting to the CSA where he was was immediately employed by General Robert E. Lee as acting quartermaster general for the Virginia Provisional Army. Although he only served in this capacity for about a month—until May 1861—he made a lasting impression on Lee, who personally looked out for him for the rest of the war. He was then promoted to colonel of the 45th Virginia regiment, serving under John B. Floyd as inspector general in addition to leading his own regiment. It was during this time that Heth penned this letter to his superior about gathering supplies for the brigade, which was comprised of the 45th Virginia—led by Heth—and 50th Virginia, led by Alexander W. Reynolds, as mentioned here. It is especially interesting to note that Heth is still playing the role of quartermaster, responsible for distributing supplies and provisions, even though he had already been promoted to command his own regiment—it is clear from this letter that he had already established connections in Richmond, dropping the names of various people he had enlisted for help in acquiring the supplies needed. An excellent letter offering insight into the formation of the Confederate armies, as Heth scurries to gather troops, uniforms, guns, tents, and food in preparation for the impending fight.