47

ROBERT S. GARNETT A.L.S.

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ROBERT S. GARNETT A.L.S.
<b>47. ROBERT S. GARNETT </b>(1819 - 1861) Confederate brigadier general who became the first general from either side to be killed in the Civil War. While withdrawing from his Laurel Hill entrenchment following the battle of Rich Mountain, Garnett received false information that his escape route into Virginia was blocked. Instead he turned northeast along the ridges and valleys that were more difficult to travel. He had withdrawn under cover of dark on 11 July 1861, but the Federal column caught up with Garnett's rear guard on 13 July. For several days the Federals gave chase and skirmished at every stream crossing. While directing his rear guard at Corrick's Ford, Garnett was shot and killed. Excessively rare, fine content war-date A.L.S. "<i>R. S. Garnett</i>" 1+pp., 8vo., Richmond, May 14, 1861 to his wife Grace, in part: "<i>...My advice to you to leave Baltimore was given under the belief that the people of the city intended to resist the passage of the Northern troops through it, & that the people of the North intended to force that passage. But since the people of Balt. have concluded to let them pass through without molestation, I doubt whether any further trouble will occur...you should not leave it until you can find a safe & comfortable opportunity of doing so...</i>". On April 19, 1861 one of the first regiments to respond to Lincoln's call for troops arrived in Baltimore by train, en route to the capital. An angry crowd of secessionists tried to keep the regiment from reaching Washington, blocking several of the transports, breaking windows, and, finally, forcing the soldiers to get out and march through the streets. The mob soon started throwing bricks and stones. Panicking, several soldiers fired randomly into the crowd, and mayhem ensued as the regiment scrambled to the railroad station to eventually escape, but with four soldiers and twelve civilians killed, and scores injured. Fine condition, expertly inlaid. <b> $5,000-6,000</b>