Item No. 4025093

A group of six letters and documents relating to the recruitment, enlistment, transfers, and administration of Company D, 1st South Carolina Cavalry, the company commanded first by Captain William Alexander Walker and later by Captain James S. Wilson. Spanning from the opening weeks of the war through the regiment’s service in Virginia, the correspondence documents the practical challenges of raising and maintaining a Confederate cavalry company.

Among the highlights is an April 10, 1861, letter from Noah J. Martin, written days before Fort Sumter was fired upon, anxiously asking whether the company had been accepted into Confederate service, writing, “Has our Company’s services ever been tendered, and have they been accepted by the governor? If I thought they had not and would not be soon, I would join the Rich Hill troop immediately…. If our Company is received and you are called on, please drop me a few lines to Lancaster C.H. and I will be with it immediately.” Martin would become a lieutenant in Company D. Another early letter, dated April 27, 1861, is from E. J. Denton, who earnestly seeks admission to Walker’s company, asking if there is a vacancy and whether he must furnish transportation for himself and his horse, before ultimately serving instead with the 17th South Carolina Infantry.

An August 6, 1862 letter from Alexander Wise and A. C. Wilks requests transportation for themselves and their horses after joining Walker’s cavalry company. A September 16, 1862 order from Lieutenant John D. McConnell of Company E, 5th South Carolina Volunteers demands the return of a soldier who had improperly joined Walker’s command, writing, “He is enlisted in my Company for the War and has no right to be transferred nor hasn’t been, so in obedience to Gen M. Jenkins order, you will part him to his Regiment… In failing to do so, the Law will be enforced against you according to the Army Regulations.” McConnell would remain with the Confederate army through the end of the war and surrendered at Appomattox in April 1865. The final letter, written from Madison County, Virginia, on October 6, 1863, is from Lieutenant Noah J. Martin (written by another soldier on his behalf), discussing a proposed transfer between companies while also providing a brief update on the regiment’s health, furloughs, and brigade inspection.

Also included is an official Confederate transfer certificate recommending the exchange of Private J. A. Gladden of Walker’s company with E. G. Mobley of the 17th South Carolina Volunteers, recording Gladden’s physical description, clothing and pay status, and recommending approval of the transfer.

The letters were written upon letter sheets of various sizes. Creased at the original folds. Three of the original transmittal covers are included, one of which bears a 3-cent U.S. stamp. The full transcripts of the letters follow below.

Letter No. 1:

To all whom it may concern
J. A. Gladden, a private in Capt Walker’s Company (B) 1st Battalion of Cavalry, having applied for a transfer to Company (D) 17th Regt S.C.V. in exchange for E. G. Mobley (who wishes to be transferred from Company (D) 17th Regt S.C.V. to Company (B) 1st Battalion of Cavalry. The said J. A. Gladden who was enlisted at Camp Pillow on the day of ___ 1862, for the time of three years or the war. The said J. A. Gladden is fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes, six feet 2 or 3 inches high, & weighs about one hundred & sixty-five lbs. Subsistance has been furnished to the __ day of June. He has rec’d no pay nor clothing. We recommend that the above transfer be made.

Letter No. 2:

Lancaster April 10th 1861

Capt J. S. Wilson

Dear sir
I hope you will excuse me for asking you a few questions for information, as I have not attended the company drill for some time.

Has our Company’s services ever been tendered, and have they been accepted by the governor? If I thought they had not and would not be soon, I would join the Rich Hill troop immediately.

But if our Company is or can be received soon, I prefer staying with it.

If our Company is received and you are called on, please drop me a few lines to Lancaster C.H. and I will be with it immediately.

Please drop me a few lines and let me know how the Company is getting on, as I am anxious to hear from it.

Please write immediately.
Very Respectfully yours
N. J. Martin

Address
Lancaster C.H.
S.C.

Letter No. 3:

Winnsboro 27th Apr

Dr Sir
Having been ordered to report for duty by the Eng Officer, I desire to join your Company. If there is a vacancy, you will much oblige me by writing to me at once whether I can get in the Co. or not, as I have but a short time to remain here and am very anxious to get in the Co. & will I have to ride my horse to Camp & how long will any of the Company be in Columbia? Hoping to hear from you very soon.
I am yours
E. J. Denton

Letter No. 4:

Chester So. Ca.
August the 6th 1862

Capt A. Walker

Sir, having seen you at home some day ago and conditionally joined your company of cavalry, we do hereby request transportation for us and our horses by Monday or as soon as you can, and write us a few lines to let us know, for we are ready with our horses.
Yours very respectfully
A. Wise
A. C. Wilks

Letter No. 5:

Sept 16th 62
McConnellsville, York Dis

Cap. Ale Walker
I understand that Alexander Cohn of this Company has join your cavalry. He is enlisted in my Company for the War and has no right to be transferred nor hasn’t been, so in obedience to Gen M. Jenkins order, you will part him to his Regiment, the 5 Reg. S.C.V., and the same time write to Gen Jenkins at Yorkville, stating what day he left your Company. In failing to do so, the Law will be enforced against you according to the Army Regulations, &c.
I remain your obedient servant
J. D. McConnell
Lieut. Commanding
Comp. E, 5 Reg.
S.C. Vol.

By order of
Gen. M. Jenkins

Letter No. 6:

Camp of 1st S.C. Cavalry
Madison Co Va Oct 6th 1863

Capt Wilson

Dear Sir
I have been requested by T. M. Saunders to write to you in regard to a transfer or exchange he wishes to make with Mr John Conally of Capt O. Barber’s Co now on the coast of S. Carolina. He (Saunders) says that the reason of this request is that his Mother wishes him nearer her so she can visit him if sick, or that he will have better chances in getting home than from Va. Conally will bring a certificate of recommendation from his officers. Write to me and let me know your wishes in the affair. I enclose a letter for you. The Company are in good health. Everything quiet. W. Robbins has just got a 60 days furlough from Richmond Hospital. E. L. Hardin do J. G. Barber 30 days from the same place. Brigade inspection today.
Respectfully
N. J. Martin
per Wallace