4pp, approx. 7.5 x 9.75 in. Frederick Hall [VA], 12 May 1863. The Texas Brigade was organized in October 1861, and briefly under the command of Louis Wigfall until he left to serve his state as a member of the Senate. The unit was then commanded by John Bell Hood, and went through most of the remainder of its service known as "Hood's Brigade" or "Hood's Texas Brigade." For much of the war it was assigned to the Army of Northern Virginia, with a few stints in the Departments of North Carolina and South Virginia, then Southern Virginia, and later the Army of Tennessee, always seeming to return to the ANV.
The unit distinguished itself as a hard-fighting group, earning its reputation in major battles such as Gaines' Mill, Second Manassas and Sharpsburg. The unit lost nearly three-fifths of its number at the latter battle (550/850). At Gettysburg it was involved in taking Devil's Den, although failing to take Little Round Top. They were engaged in all major ANV actions except Chancellorsville, and surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. The Texas Regiments together numbered nearly 4500 men (originals + recruits), and of those, only about 600 remained to surrender.
Theses actions were recorded by Joseph B. Polley, who wrote what many consider the "definitive" history of the unit,
Hood's Texas Brigade: its Marches, its Battles, its Achievements (1910). Although his date of enlistment is uncertain, he seems to have been with the unit from the beginning. He was discharged near the very end (Jan. 1865) because of a severe ankle injury that occurred in October. Although the place is not stated, early October saw the ANV mired in the siege of Petersburg, and repulsing yet another Federal attempt to take Richmond. Active battles occurred near Darbytown and New Market Roads around the seventh. The injury was severe enough to require amputation, thus rendering Polley unfit for further service.
He was still in the thick of it in the spring of 1863, however. Polley writes to his father: "
Nearly twelve months ago I passed this place en route with the Brigade for the right flank of McClellan's grand army near Gaines Mill. Now I am here again but for what object I have no idea. I wrote to some one at home from Franklin, Va. while our troops were lying in front of Suffolk. I had little idea then that I should have to apprise you of how little we effected down there. The main object was to procure corn and bacon. This to a certain extent was accomplished as we did bring out nearly one million pounds of bacon and sixty or seventy thousand bushels of corn."
He goes on to describe their hardships at Suffolk: "...
those who were there could hardly be said to be off duty a single day. What with standing pickett, digging trenches, throwing up breastwork, &c. the men were kept very busy. For my part I did quite well as I was off on a trip into North Carolina after stores. I found the people very clever and hospitable - so much so that I never ate a meal or slept a single night in camp, but always at houses where the best of everything was proffered me. After being so long confined to camp or at best to Virginia you can perhaps imagine how I appreciated such Kindness. The section of country I was in bordered on the Dismal Swamp. The land was low and sandy miserably poor. Manure of any kind was eagerly saved - dry leaves often being used. Before the war every one down there had plenty of negros but the Yankees have carried nearly all of them away. Those that are left are too old to be of use. Twenty bushels corn to the acres is an excellent crop down there."
Polley makes reference to the victory against Hooker at Chancellorsville, "
But our victory cost us a man whose equal we many never find -- 'Stonewall' Jackson....The moral effect which this will have on both armies will be great and very hard to counteract. Our army is much depressed, while the Yankees will be encouraged to a like degree."
He notes that they had to hold an election to replace officers, some battle casualties, some resignations. He notes who was elected, and concludes: "
Thus you see not a single one of our original officers is left to us. Indeed there are only twelve of the old officers in the regiment."
A wonderful, and literate, letter from one of the hardest fighting Confederate units.
Condition
Slight toning, especially along folds. Overall in excellent condition.