This lot consists of 2 items.  The first is a letter from Private H. T. Holt, Company I of the 38^th Alabama Infantry.  It is dated January 31^st, 1862 from Fort Morgan.  Going by his middle name “Talbert” he writes a love letter to his wife Carrie whom he addresses as “My Dear Lady”.   Following his love fest, he relates to her a horrendous dream that he had had the night before:

·          “Last night I was on guard, on post no 16.  Just as the clock stroke the hour of 2 and while looking in the
direction of the enemy, I saw a long semicircular ring of fire shoot forth as from the bosom of the sea,
instantly a shower of iron balls fell thick as hail upon the fort, the alarm was sounded & on every side
nothing was heard but the hoarse notes of command and the tramp of marching columns.  The fire from
the enemies’ vessels continued to rain down shot on the heads of devoted columns.  Our batteries sent forth
their line of smoke fire ball and death in return.  Soon our walls were covered with dead & dying soldiers,
here lay an arm, there lay a head, and there so mangled as to be unknown.  Our feet would slip under us
upon the wall which was literally streaming with blood.  Col. Maury was killed while exhorting his men to
do their duty.  Sam J. & Phil W. were killed, Laffite was dreadfully wounded, the bravest & best of men was
killed, the battle increased in fury death started me in the face, coward like I run away, but not till I awoke
to find it nothing but a dream.”

Unfortunately, this nightmare came true, first at the battle of Chickamauga, where Talbert was captured but managed to escape… only to be killed instantly at the battle of Crowe’s Valley on February 24^th, 1864.   

The second item in this grouping is the obituary written by Talbert’s Chaplain, Rev. A. D. McVoy.  The obituary it 2 ½ pages and together with Talbert’s letter make an amazing pair!  Talbert’s letter is written on blue-grey paper with minor loss at the folds, but overall in fine condition.  The obituary written on low-grade Confederate paper has staining and faults, but is all very readable and together they would make a tremendous pair for display!  A dream… that unfortunately came true. 

#CG138 - Price $675

Doodle on the back page:

Obituary: