Item No. 9440373

A very interesting May 1864 order made on the eve of the Battle of the Wilderness. The order was written from the headquarters of Major General James Longstreet’s First Army Corps at Mechanicsville, just south of Gordonsville, Virginia. Lieutenant Colonel Moxley Sorrel, Longstreet’s de facto chief of staff, wrote an order to Brigadier General Joseph B. Kershaw, commander of a division, to conduct an inspection in preparation for the coming campaign. A recent review had revealed to Longstreet a lack of cartridge boxes among Kershaw’s men. The order reads:

Circular

Head Quarters 1st Army Corps
Near Mechanicsville May 1 1864

General.
The Lieut Genl. Comdg desires that you will at once make an inspection of your Division with the view of ascertaining its wants for ordnance and ordnance stores. At the recent review, there was observed to be wanting a great number of cartridge boxes, and the necessary accoutrements. The number should at once be ascertained, and requisition made for the same.

It is understood that there are a large number of cartridge boxes that was not used on the occasion referred to, because they were old. The serviceable ones of these should be selected & put in use, and the others turned in. The Ordnance officer Capt Dawson is prepared to fill your requisition at once.

It is important that all deficiencies in this particular should be supplied by tomorrow night.

I am Gen Very Respy
Y Obt Sv
G. M. Sorrel
Lt Col & AAG

Brig Gen J. B. Kershaw
Comdg Divn

It is docketed on the reverse. Sorrel served with Longstreet from July 1861 through October 1864, when he received a brigadier’s star and command of a brigade in the Petersburg trenches.

The order measures about 7” x 9” and is in excellent condition. Sorrel’s ink has faded to a medium brown, but is still very legible. There is some minor toning to the paper, as well as some shallow separation at the folds extending from the edge of the paper about 1” or 1 1/2” at most.