This letter written in ink on grey-blue stationary was written by William G. Ogier, who was 1st Lieut. and Adjt. in the 15th South Carolina Battalion of Heavy Artillery Stationed on Fort Sumter.  A Lt. Col. Roman, Assistant Inspector General of the Division of the West had asked Lt. Ogier if Brigadier General Ripley was fit (not drunk) on the night of October 8th, 1864.  Lt. Ogier provides the Colonel with a fine, Clear recommendation for General Ripley. 

"Colonel,

                In accordance with insurrections, I have the honor to make
 the following statement –

                It is my opinion that on the night of October 8th Brig. Genl.
Ripley when at this post, that to my knowledge he had been drinking,
 was not drunk, or in any way incapable of attending to his duties. 
I am unaware of anything in his conduct on that occasion Prejudicial
to good order at the military discipline.  
                
                                        Very Respectfully,

                  Your Obedient Servant,

  
          W. G. Ogier

            1st Lieut. & Adjt.”

On the reverse it is docketed:

 
                                “Fort Sumter December 15th, 1864
Relating to certain inquires regarding Brig. General R. S. Ripley – 
                                            Exhibit D.     Copy Made”

Obviously anything written from Fort Sumter and especially by a Lieutenant in the artillery manning the post is very significant and rarely seen.  General Ripley was a native of Ohio (Worthington, outside of Columbus).  He married into the famous Middleton family in Charleston, South Carolina in 1852.  In 1860 as a Lt. Col. in the South Carolina state forces, he occupied Fort Moultrie after its evacuation by Major Robert Anderson and then also Fort Sumter after it fell in April 1861.  The rest of the year he was in charge of the forces in Charleston.  According to the book, Generals in Grey, he was always “at odds” with both his superiors and his subordinates, including Generals Cooper, Beauregard and Pemberton.  Leaving Charleston he fought with distinction at Seven Days and was severely wounded at Sharpsburg.  Following his wounding he commanded back in Charleston in 1863 and 1864. 

For the South Carolina, or especially the Charleston/Fort Sumter collector, this letter is a real prize!

#HC113 - Price $1,295


 

Cropped to read:

Reverse side:

Cropped to read:

Below photo is taken from the book: Voices of the Civil War - Charleston