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William H. T. Walker and Paul Jones Semmes

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
William H. T. Walker and Paul Jones Semmes

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Auction Date:2015 Sep 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
Extraordinary early Civil War–era ALS signed “W. H. T. Walker, Major Gen’l Geo Vols,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, April 1, 1861. General Orders No. 1, issued from his headquarters at Augusta Arsenal. In part: “I have the honor to state that I have received General instruction from the Commander in Chief…He says to me ‘the Governor is anxious that your Division should be organised as soon as possible…it would be well to devise some plan for the instruction of officers…You are desired by the Gov to use all energy in perfecting the organisation & discipline of your Division’…So soon as my presence may be necessary I shall visit the Division & give my personal attention to the discipline & drill of the officers & men…Please inform me what steps have already been taken.” Signed at the conclusion by Walker and countersigned by Semmes, “P. J. Semmes, Brig Genl 2d Brigade, Columbus, Ga.” In very good condition, with scattered staining and several areas of repaired paper loss (affecting a few words throughout the letter). Both of these Confederate officers were killed in action, with Walker being shot from his horse in 1864 during the Battle of Atlanta and Semmes mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. This letter dates to after Georgia’s secession from the Union in January 1861 but before the first shots of the war were fired, which came less than two weeks later on April 12 with the attack on Fort Sumter.