Record of transactions at Bennett's Mill, Charleston, concerning the sale of 1185 bushels of rice. The miller's receipt was apparently used in support of Thomas Ferguson's petition to be remunerated for the seizure of his father's rice. 5p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson writes to his godmother about news from West Point. He mentions a fire on Crow's Nest mountain, the dull routine of West Point and his eagerness for his June furlough. 5p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Manassas Junction, on July 10th, 1861, just days before the First Battle of Bull Run. He mentions preparations being made to set up hospitals for the sick and wounded, the capture of the privateer Savannah and Jefferson Davis' warning to Lincoln not to deal harshly with the crew. He writes that Union prisoners in Richmond, who were allowed to roam freely, were "arrested and confined in consequence of the accounts received of the trial of the crew of the Savannah." 4p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Fairfax Court House, Virginia, September 13th, 1861. Ferguson details a recent skirmish in Lewinsville pitting Union troops against Confederate Col. J.E.B. Stuart's men in which "we got seven killed, wounded and prisoners and know that they carried off many of their dead...fact is they wont stay to be killed." He writes of the secret construction of a battery along the Potomac that "will entirely stop the navigation of the river" and warns his godmother not to let "any communicative person hear any thing of this." On the envelope is written "there is a secret in this." 5p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Centreville, Virginia, January 29th, 1862. Ferguson writes that General Beauregard has received orders to proceed to Columbus, Ky., a "new scene of action and I hope of victory and glory." He yearns for news of Union commander Ambrose Burnside's naval expedition which recently sailed and has "occupied so much attention both North and South." 3p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Jackson, Tennessee on March 3rd, 1862. Ferguson writes about an offer for promotion to Lt. Colonel, the illness of Gen. Beauregard, and the successful evacuation of Columbus, Kentucky, "an imperative but most difficult problem, accomplished with wonderful luck." He questions the Union's decision not to attack during the evacuation as this would have caused "the abandonment of many heavy guns and large supplies of ammunition, now happily in position at other and better points." 4p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, aide-de-camp to General P.G.T. Beauregard, writes to his godmother from Manassas Junction two weeks after the First Battle of Bull Run. He writes "another such blow as that struck two weeks ago, would I think put an end to the war." He writes of bunking with "Dr. Brodie from our state" in "the grand tent sent to Genl B, as he occupies a room in the house." 6p.
Samuel Wragg Ferguson, fresh out of West Point, writes his sister from a camp on Henry's Fork in the Utah territory. Ferguson, participating in the Utah Expedition, writes about the boredom of the winter intermission in the conflict with Mormon settlers. He complains about the food and tells his sister he "is going out directly to try and kill a rabbit with my pistol." He writes fondly of spending a week at the regiment's other camp as he has "found it very dull here when there are but three officers besides myself," but notes that "when spring comes we will be kept busy all the time as the Mormons will no doubt try to steal our animals." 4p.
Second certified statement from the former overseer concerning rice taken from James Ferguson's Dockon Plantation. The note was apparently used in defense of Thomas Ferguson's petition to reclaim or be remunerated for the confiscated rice. 2p.
