Richard Ferguson was the Adjutant of the 18th Virginia Infantry.  He was from Nottoway County, Virginia and a member of Company G. He had been wounded June 30th, 1862 at Frayser’s Farm, Va.  

With the letter is an article from Confederate Veteran Magazine entitled, Escape from Johnson’s Island.  The article was written by Col. B. L. Farinholt.  The article describes the attempt that Farinholt and Ferguson made to escape from Johnson’s Island in 1864 (Ferguson had been transferred from Fort Delaware to Johnson’s Island, where all the Confederate Officers were held on an island on Lake Erie.).  It is a great story! 

Our letter is 1 ½ pages in length with a great full I.D.  Ferguson is writing a Southern sympathizer in Pennsylvania who was willing to help imprisoned soldiers.  The letter is on brown Confederate paper and is in fine condition. 

                “Mrs. A. W. Emley

                                        Madam:

                                    Your letter of the 11th inst. has been recd., but the box therein
alluded to has not reached me.  Upon inquiring of Genl. Schoepf I learn that boxes
or bundles to get to us, must be directed to him & sent by Adam’s Express with the
name of the person inside such box or bundle.  The box sent was doubtless returned
on same boat.  I wrote you a letter on same day that yours was dated, with a
memorandum of such articles as were needed by myself & members of my old
Company, some others wounded have arrived since. 

            Lest you may not have recd. that letter I enclose another list.  4 pr. shoes,
no 8 – 1 pr. Cavalry boats, no. 8, 1 pr. pants size 32 – ½ doz. hats, 5 - 7 ¼, 1 - 6 7/8 –
½ doz. pr. drawers – ½ doz. calico or gingham shirts, 4 grey cassinet over shirts,
2 flannel shirts, 1 doz. pr. colored socks.

            I also asked for ($30) thirty dollars in U.S. money.

            The things remunerated in your letter would have been very acceptable &
tho the box has not reached us we feel thankful for your kind efforts in our behalf.

            Please send a bill of article furnished.

            There are a great many Virginians here, but the most of them have written
to friends & are expecting to get all necessary aid.  They are so numerous that I do
not feel justified in imposing upon you so great a burden in supplying all their
demands.  I will not therefore give any names.

                                                                I am with the highest regards,

                                                                                                    Yours Very Truly,

                                                                                                                    Rich. Ferguson Adjt.

                                                                                                                    18th Va. Regiment

                Fort Delaware

                                July 15th, 1863”

A nice letter from one of the most famous Confederate regiments… and the story of Ferguson’s attempted escape later on makes this really special!

#CG126VA - Price $695