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John Pegram

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
John Pegram

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Auction Date:2018 Nov 07 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : 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 officer (1832–1865) who fought with distinction at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga; he was killed in action in a skirmish at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, in February of 1865. Rare and important war-dated ALS signed “Jno. Pegram,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, June 15, 1862. Letter to "Jack," extolling the courage of George B. Anderson’s 4th North Carolina Infantry, written from Tupelo, where he was serving on the staff of staff of General Braxton Bragg. In part: "In a Richmond paper received a day or two since I see that the ‘4th N.C. led by its gallant Colonel’ played a most conspicuous part in the battle of Seven Pines. I wish to express to you my delight at this news, both on your own and your wife's account, and on account of the Old North State. It must be a great satisfaction to you to reflect that whilst others have been promoted to the rank of Brig. Gen'l entirely through political influence, and have been rendered ridiculous by their unfitness for the position, you have gained yours by leading a desperate attack in one of the bloodiest and most important battles of our revolution…I have not heard that you have been promoted—only I take for granted there is some little sense left among the 'powers that be.' Here we are all most anxious to get at the truth about the battles of the 31st and 1st. If you can possible find a half hour…write me word how you think we stand as compared with our status before the battles—of course I mean relatively to the enemy…As well as we can judge at this distance, the Generals committed the great error of not bringing a sufficient number of men into action. I fear McClellan is rapidly bringing up his reinforcements…Why did we leave our wounded and dead in the enemy's hands? And what materiel of war did we capture? In short, tell me what you think of the chances of holding Richmond?…I fear to write you fully, lest this letter fall into the enemy's hands." In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds and soiling to the last page.

The Confederate Army's 4th North Carolina Infantry had just completed its organization in May 1862, when it was sent into action at Seven Pines on May 31st. There, the regiment earned the nickname 'The Bloody Fourth' for its high casualty rate—of the 'Noble 545' men and officers that went into battle, 486 suffered death or injury. Though the battle was inconclusive, it did have a profound effect on the war: Joseph E. Johnston was injured in the fight, leading to the appointment of Robert E. Lee as Confederate commander. “Jack” is George B. Anderson in whose estate this letter was included along with war-dated letters from Anderson to his wife (to be offered next month); Anderson received his Brigadier General’s commission from Jefferson Davis for the gallantry in action referred to by Pegram. Pegram's autograph is incredibly scarce—especially in war-dated material—and this letter in particular boasts truly phenomenal content.