Offered is an 8 page letter in ink from Charles M. Figgatt a Private in Company C of the 1st Virginia Cavalry.  In September of 1864, Figgatt was detailed as a clerk in the headquarters of Stonewall Jackson and subsequently for General Ewell and General Early through 1864.  Our letter is dated October 28th, 1864, “Hd. Qrs. V. D. (Valley District), New Market”.  In this letter Figgatt is writing his wife. 

·         “Capt. Moore, who was assistant inspector has been acting A.A.G. since Col. P death (Sandie
Pendleton), of course he is not to compared to Col. P. and is not very efficient, because he does not

     understand system and regularity and has not the decision to the extent essential but is a very nice

     gentlemen and does much better for a new land them we had expected, and in fact it is right land to

     get along with the Gen. as he is no averse to signing papers.”

·         “We have been lying quiet since our arrival here, and reorganizing, drilling and disciplining the

      troops, and as many of the men are detailed new are coming in our army is increasing, and will soon

      be in fighting time.” 

·         “Our loss was not as heavy as reported by the enemy, but will probably reach 3,000 in all, a good

      many are still scattered, and are coming in daily and the loss will probably not be so heavy. 

      Everyone seems anxious to do better and enforce discipline and hope good results will follow.” 

·         “I have been in need of socks mine are entirely worn out abut have just got a newspaper.  Your ones

      & new shirt and can get on very well until you send mine.  Cal Gibson wishes to buy our cooking stove

     shall I sell it ask Pa & what must I ask.  Probably he would take leather at old prices if so would not

     this be best if I sell for the money what ought it be worth.  You can tell its condition I did not see it let

     me know next letter.” 

·         “Tell the farmers that you heard talking about the supply of provisions that he does not know what he

     is talking about and just come down here and got with me to the burnt barns & everything else around

     here and to the countries where every negro has long ago been lost & no farming done on ¾ of the farms

     for 3 years & find these oppressed people in better spirits more likeable asking less than others for what

     little raised & going to every soldier as long as anything lasts – crops, fences, & stock destroyed & stolen

     and compare this with both & then say whether if the whole crops raised would not be sufficient to fee

     the greedy precarious croaking selfish money loving populations who thus far have but once felt that the

     war was oppressing them and that they were in danger of losing a little.  I am ashamed of my people

     when I hear this of them when I have seen all that this poor oppressed people in the lower valley have

     suffered.” 

·         “No doubt you all have been made glad in this by the knowledge of Jas. G’s safety (Charlie’s servant);

     and as he is with me tonight and going home in the morning.  I will send this letter by him.  I send by

     him a McClellan saddle for Gideon and Edie G.”

A fine letter for the Virginia Cavalry collector!  By the way, Figgatt was a cashier at the Bank of Lexington, Virginia after the war… until he absconded with funds from the bank!

#CG136VA - Price $550

Transcription:
                                                                                                                                     New Market
                                                                                                                                    Hd. Qrs. V. D.
                                                                                                                                 Oct. 28th, 1864

                        My dear Wife,

                                    Your letter of the 18th was received some days since
and I had intended writing sooner but have been prevented by an over
amount of work which has accumulated during the campaign & the last
bundle of which I have just sent to the P.O.  I was glad to hear from
James, & especially that he was doing so well, and sincerely hope he has
continued to improve and will soon be able to help himself.  We have been
lying quiet since our arrival here, and reorganizing, drilling and
disciplining the troops, and as many of the men are detailed new are
coming in our army is increasing, and will soon be in fighting time.  Our
loss was not as heavy as reported by the enemy, but will probably reach
3,000 in all, a good many are still scattered, and are coming in daily and
the loss will probably not be so heavy.  Everyone seems anxious to do better
and enforce discipline and hope good results will follow.  Capt. Moore, who
 was assistant inspector has been acting A.A.G. since Col. P death (Sandie
Pendleton), of course he is not to compared to Col. P. and is not very efficient,
because he does not understand system and regularity and has not the
decision to the extent essential but is a very nice gentlemen and does much
better for a new land them we had expected, and in fact it is right land to
get along with the Gen. as he is no averse to signing papers.  I suppose you
have received my letter announcing the fact that Nat and myself are to be
swept away in the common flood of detailed man and have to return to our
companies as soon as men can be had to take our places.  Nat had expected
to go today but the new one expected did not come and the Genl. sent word
for me to remain until further orders, and so will not have to go for a few
days or probably weeks but of course cannot tell.  I have spoken to Capt. M.
about Bob and if he wishes or has to come into the army, he will have him
detailed, at Hd. Qrs. here in my place, and you will please inform him of this
fact and request him to send me an immediate answer and if he would prefer
a permanent and in the army the most desirable situation because of the
advantage of shelter and other comforts that are not to be bad except at Hd.
Qrs. to having to appear so often before the Med. Bd. and running about the
country generally I would advise him to some and if he does so he can join
Breckinridge’s Co. and thus have the privilege of keeping a horse and not
have to walk on marches.  Of course if he does not have to come to the army
now and is sure that he can continue at home I would advise him to remain
but if not I am sure he would stand in his own light not to expect this offer
and take my place, which I know he could soon learn to fill so well.  An
immediate reply is necessary so that another can be had if he does not come;
he may not be at home if so an answer as soon as he arrives and if he comes
he can do so at his earliest convenience; and if he wishes to buy a horse I
think on that would answer all his purposes can be had here cheaper than
at home as a good many have & will be thrown into market here.  You will
please tell your Pa and mine that I have made arrangements to get form the
country of Hampshire to be delivered at Harrisonburg from 40 to 50 (or
more if desired) head of fire for hogs which hogs are not ready to be
butchered as a son of the gentleman who will furnish them arrived from
home today and with whom I have been trying to make the arrangements
for some months informs me he states that they will weigh not less than 200
net and will be delivered at said place, for 18 cents net payable in Va. Bank
notes, and they will be butchered and salted and delivered as bacon next
Jany. at 20 payable in some fund at someplace but as transportation is
scarce they would prefer delivering on foot and besides there is no certainty
that the country will be open during the winder as the enemy sometimes
hold Romney.  If delivered on foot they can be brought at anytime from now
to 15th Dec; whenever word can be sent that I will take them and when
wanted.  The young man is a courier at Hd. Qrs; and is himself a wealthy
farmer. And his father he states has himself 100 hogs for sale and that he
never knew more hogs as better corn crops there in that country and the
farmers anxious to bring them out.  Communication with that country is
very limited and can send only change letters and it will be necessary to
take an answer from there so that I can reply and make all arrangements
necessary by the first one going over. The funds no doubt can be bad at any
time in Richmond or L. at about 3 for one Confed. and they can state,
whether or not they will furnish them and thus unable we to send a definite
answer.  There should be nothing said about this if they go into it &
anything further that they wish to borrow or any arrangement they many
suggest or wish, no doubt it can be easily made and probably it would be
well for someone to come down and go there but this I do not think would
be necessary.  I am sorry that I cannot now write more definite, but think
it a good plan to secure next years bacon at a far less price than it can be
had for in Botetourt and is at least worth an effort to try and secure it. 

                  No doubt you all have been made glad in this by the knowledge of
Jas. G’s safety (Charlie’s servant); and as he is with me tonight and going
home in the morning.  I will send this letter by him. I send by him a
McClellan saddle for Gideon and Edie G’s.  I am sorry to say has been
broken since I got it but think Pa can easily mend it for him, if it cannot be
fixed, he must have the one intended for E.  The reason why I wanted the
now broken one for him was that it was nicer and the leather not worn;
however, you all can arrange it.  I do not wish G to have his unless he is a
good boy and if he uses bad words and is naughty, you must have it put
away and tell him that I will not allow him to have it so long as I hear that
he says bad words.  O! I so much regret to hear that he even now while so
young has learned to use the word, which one along I ever used myself and
from the use of which it took me so long to break myself and you cannot
tell how much it hurt me when I heard that our darling so soon learned
that which caused me so many efforts to rid myself of and I hope and pray
that he may be prevented from using such idle words and I am sure he shall
not hear one from me, for oft, when very young was I shocked and surprised
when Pa use the word confound & I will always remember my feelings and
 try to keep the path of my darling dear from obstacles and especially not
myself thrown any in his way and love he may grow up in the fear of God
and be a meek and humble child of God.  Tell him for me that now I have
 sent his saddle from the army he must love Ma, Ma & me and do as we
wish and learn to say his prayers and be a sweet boy and God will love
him and someday make him an angel in heaven like his darling brother. 
Truly as you say dear Charlie Meade had he been spared to us would have
been so great a comfort and pleasure had he been in health but as God has
taken him in his wisdom it is our duty to feel that it is well and for the best. 
I am glad you remained so long at Beaver Dam and hope your presence
gave them comfort and that God may bless this awful affliction to the good
of ever remaining one and make them Christians indeed.  I wrote to Mrs. R
after Jno. Wms. Death; did she ever get the letter or did you ever hear her
speak f receiving one from me.  I am sorry you took any pay from Sallie J
 for the flannel.  George has been so kind for so long time to us I would like
 to have some opportunity of repaying and wish you had thought to present
her with it.  I so often have to write in a hurry that I forget to say what I
wish and answer your questions.  I have been in need of socks mine are
entirely worn out abut have just got a newspaper.  Your ones & new shirt
and can get on very well until you send mine.  Cal Gibson wishes to buy our
cooking stove shall I sell it ask pa & what must I ask.  Probably he would
take leather at old prices if so would not this be best if I sell for the money
what ought it be worth.  You can tell its condition I did not see it let me
know next letter.  Tell the farmers that you heard talking about the supply
of provisions that he does not know what he is talking about and just come
 down here and got with me to the burnt barns & everything else around
here and to the countries where every negro has long ago been lost & no
farming done on ¾ of the farms for 3 years & find these oppressed people
in better spirits more likeable asking less than others for what little raised
& going to every soldier as long as anything lasts – crops, fences, & stock
destroyed & stolen and compare this with both & then say whether if the
whole crops raised would not be sufficient to fee the greedy precarious
croaking selfish money loving populations who thus far have but once felt
that the war was oppressing them and that they were in danger of losing
a little.  I am ashamed of my people when I hear this of them when I have
seen all that this poor oppressed people in the lower valley have suffered. 
Not dear it is late at night & I have been hard at it since breakfast and they
are waiting on one to go to bed and tho I have not said all I wanted I must
close with much love to all at both love we and tell James that I hope to hear
of his soon being better & able to help himself that I have not been able to
get his saddle & that his saber was lost they day of the fight. 

Many kisses & much love for my darlings from there devoted, 
                                                                                      Charlie