Collection of Confederate Civil War Letters by Raleigh Colston Thomas

September 17, 2011 Maryland Auction

Lot #: 300

Price Realized: $4,600.00 (Price includes 15% buyer's premium).

Important Collection of Thirteen Confederate Civil War Letters by Lieutenant Raleigh Colston Thomas (1844-1886). All are written from Thomas to his mother, Mrs. John Hanson Thomas of Baltimore, and discuss meeting Robert E. Lee, fighting Yankees, and other events. Noteworthy passages include:

     Richmond May 25, our Bat. had a fight with Mr. Sheridan's raiders near Beaver Dam lost 4 killed 17 wounded none that you knew. I got a Telegram from Hanson of 22nd May he had not been hurt up to that time. I met Uncle the other day he belongs to the Ambulance Committee from Lynchburg he gave me a nice Cup of coffee & c. he thinks roughing it has done him a great deal of good. The Pipe,(a beauty) shirts, knives &c. rec'd. also yours to Mrs Miles of 7th inst. . . I have not been in any fighting since the Kilpatrick Raid so don't be uneasy. I will probably see a good deal of fighting a week or two hence. but hope for the best. . . Mrs Miles is as kind as possible & takes your place very well. Mrs Macfarland says that Hanson is in Mrs Miles charge & I am in hers & she really treats me like a son. She has one of the finest looking girls for her daughter (Miss Turner Macfarland) I ever saw if I were two or three years older wouldn't I be in love, but she is only a year younger than myself & with the numerous beaux she has there is no hope for poor 'Ral'. Tell the Paterfamilias that all things are working well for the Rebs. Grant has been signally defeated. Seigel . ditto. Butler . ditto. Averill .do. & Sherman- do-. . . I rec'd Doug 's letter by Flag of Truce. give him my love I will answer soon. Your Humble servt is well & hearty. about the color of light mahogany. caused by the exposure to sun & c. I hope to see you all in Old Baltimore this time next year if Old Grant don't do better.

     Richmond Aug 26, I was sorry to hear of Frank V's death it is a hard blow to his family. Dear Mother I rec'd your letter written to Hanson & myself jointly the other day. it was an agreeable surprise to hear about the trunk it will be very acceptable. All that I saved at Fort Norfolk was my cavalry boots, corduroy pants, my spring pants, 2 linen shirts 2 pair socks 2 pair drawers, overcoat, new vest & overcoat. I just arrived here from the Sweet Springs after spending two weeks there delightfully. I left Hanson there where he expects to stay for a week longer & then he returns to "Mississipp" where Gen'l Loring has offered him a position on his staff as Chief Aid with the rank of 1st Lieut of Cavalry & if a bill which we think congress will pass does pass he will be major. he has his comission all right this time. I had the overwhelming honour this morning to be introduced to Gen'l R.E. Lee "the general of the age" he took breakfast with Mr Macfarland. he asked very kindly after you and Pa. he is a splendid looking man. I have my horse & equipment excepting a halter & a pistol Uncle Douglas gave me a splendid rubber blanket & a plush one besides & cloth enough to make me a beautiful jacket it is bound with yellow ( the regulation color) on the collar & sleeves & has large buttons on the breast & 3 on each sleeve. Hanson is looking better than I ever saw him. he has a mustache( a slight one) & has his face tanned to the color of tan has filled out & is a fine looking fellow. I hope this description will suit all parties. I expect to leave for the army the first of next week. I am anxious to see all the boys. I met Sam Rogers the other day. he is in Bob Smith's' company & says all are well. Tell Doug that I am going to confer an honour on him by naming my horse after him. he( the horse) is a splendid animal 8 years old bay color arched neck& fine jumper. I rec'd Ed A's letter & was gratified by his remembering me. I will write the first chance to him, I am glad you introduced yourself to (crossed out name). tell Doug privately to give my love to her & ask her to write. Have my boots made larger in the calves & ankles these had to be cut. Give my love to all family & the boys & believe me your affect son Raleigh. Direct your letters & packages to the care of Mr Macfarland. Wm Turner is at the S Springs, he is well & got the clothes.

     Warrenton Oct 17th, Dear Mother, We have been fighting & skirmishing for the last week. The Cavalry has done all the fighting nearby. I was in the fight at Brandy; it was the biggest fight of the war. that is, cavalry fight. I was anxious to know how I would feel. I felt a little curious untill the skirmishers were driven in, but when we were ordered to draw sabres, I got so excited I could scarcely contain myself I hurrahed & cheered. I came near being captured I & two or three men ran right into the Yanks & they ordered us to surrender we turned & ran for it at a distance of 30 feet they fired at us with their carbines & pistols but missed us. Bill Crane of my company was captured about 5 minutes after I left him Whenever you hear of Lomax's Brigade you may know that our Battalion is with it as it belongs to us. Give my love to all the boys. I rec'd Gatchell's letter. All the boys have come out safely except George Elder, who was wounded in arm doing well. Give my love to Father & family. A lady sends this for me. Your affect, Raleigh.

A fascinating account of a young Confederate’s early days at war, with particularly vivid anecdotes.

Many with original stamped envelopes. All with original fold lines. All in good to excellent condition.