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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1088

Civil War: Withers, Robert Enoch (1821-1907). Born in Lynchburg, VA, Withers was a physician until joining the Confederate army early in 1861, he entered as a major of the 18th Virginia Infantry, promoted to Colonel of the regiment then retired because of a number of disabling wounds, appointed to the Confederate military post at Danville, VA; after the war, Withers was a newspaperman, politician and diplomat; Boggs, F.J.. CSA officer, commanded Co. H (2nd) (Richmond Greys Company B) in the First Virginia Infantry, resigned after the First Battle of Manassas; appointed commander of the 12th Virginia Battalion-Artillery. Autograph Letter with Response Signed "FJ Boggs Maj & Chf Art" and "R E Withers Col. Comdg Post". Letter one page, response one-page in single fold of three-fold, 7 7/8 x 10", Headquarters Artillery Def. R & DRR Clover Depot March 31, 1865. In the letter, written a little over a week before Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Boggs tells Capt. Oley, commanding the Artillery at Danville that he was surprised that two 10-pound Parrots had been moved by another party and placed in the fortifications. Rankled by the usurpation of his authority, Boggs says "You will have the guns turned over to you & parked with the rest & report as soon as possible". A Lt. Wise's name is also signed below Boggs. Withers responds on the back, Commandants Office, Danville April 1, 1865. "The guns alluded to within were placed in position by my order, the Engineer having reported that he had orders to enclose the work in which they are mounted, & after commencing the work of enclosure it would be impracticable to mount them, until the work should be completed a period of two or three weeks. Had the guns not been put in position and any necessity should have arisen to use them this most important of the redoubts would have been entirely useless to the defense, no matter how great the emergency." Minor foxing and soiling, Very Good.

Sold for
$120