Dated “Engineering Office/Atlanta, July 21^st, 1864”. To “Major R.P. Rowley, Corps of Confederate of Engineers.” 2 pp., in ink, on lined paper measuring 7.75 x 9.75”. Exhibits fold-marks and slight fading, as well as light chipping along light and right margins. Else VG, and entirely legible. In protective sleeve. Text:

“My Dear Rowly……I take pleasure on behalf of my friend Brooks, in inclosing for your consideration your commission for Major of Engr troops & orders to you which I trust will reach you safely. Yours to Brooks came duly to hand yesterday, and from all accounts there is a fair prospect of your being gobbled up, and spending your summer at the North, at the springs perhaps, but more probably on the sea at Point Look Out for instance. You will of course come by to tell us good bye before leaving for your new field of labors. ……You have doubtless heard of the change in commanders. Genl. Johnston’s removal was very unexpected to us all. Genl. Hood has assumed command, & commenced by a small fight on the left yesterday afternoon. It did not amount to anything beyond driving in the enemy’s skirmishers & 200 or 300 hundred prisoners. Brig. Genl Stephens was severely wounded in the head, & Major Preston of Artillery formerly on Genl Johnston’s staff was killed on our side. We are now in the House occupied by Glenn & have comfortable quarters, but fear we shall not long be allowed to remain………. Capt. Keathofer sent a note to Col. Prestman yesterday, saying your sisters would pass through here in the afternoon on their way to Memphis. We all had letters to send by them, and I went down to the cars to meet them, but they did not come up. This morning I learn they have been deterred by the raiding parties & will remain awhile longer at Griffin. I hope we will have the pleasure of seeing them before they get off…….I am glad to see you are having a good time with the ladies, but as old Mr. Weller would say, “beware of the Widders”. …..I have duly observed your remarks in regard to the “Hydrat” purchased at your expense, and must say that your liberality is only exceeded by your good looks and fascinating manners. Having a due knowledge of your well known generosity, & knowing how much pleasure it affords you to contribute to the happiness of your friends, I sent to the commissary this morning, for another jug full of his best red-eye at your expense, but am sorry to inform you that your credit is played out in that quarter. ….All well with us—The pony is all right, but fell down with me yesterday, standing on his head and about, as I imagined, to turn a complete somersault, thereby greatly endangering the prospects of…..Your friend/ JMW. Brooks sends love.”

Although the background of Engineering Captain John M. Witherspoon invites further research, his urbane syntax and light bantering reference to Dickensian character “old Mr. Weller, reveal him as a highly educated southern gentleman of the first water. That he could write in such a light bantering tone from behind Confederate lines in Atlanta on July 21, 1864, is also testimony to his gentlemanly sang froid.

Major R.P. Rowley was a prominent Arkansan in the Confederate Core of Engineers would be promoted to colonel and end the war in Trans-Mississippi, directing CS engineering operations in of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. He later returned to Arkansas, residing at a Mississippi River plantation in Lonoton County, where he died in 1899.

An entertaining and informative letter from a Confederate Engineering staff officer, written from Atlanta during Sherman’s 1864 envelopment of the city in July 1864. Highly collectible. Invites further research.

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