EARLY WAR ALS – CS BRIG. GEN. DANIEL RUGGLES, SIGNED AS COLONEL, TO COL. JOHN MERCER BROCKBROUGH, 40TH VIRGINIA

EARLY WAR ALS – CS BRIG. GEN. DANIEL RUGGLES, SIGNED AS COLONEL, TO COL. JOHN MERCER BROCKBROUGH, 40TH VIRGINIA

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Autograph letter signed, "Daniel Ruggles / Col. Commdg.," dated July 16, 1861, addressed to "Col. Brockenbrough." Written in brown ink on a single small sheet of lightly ruled paper, the note reads in full:

"To Col. Brockenbrough. / My dear Sir: / In consequence of the rain I propose deferring the examination of the new camp grounds until morning. / Very truly yours, / Daniel Ruggles / Col. Commdg. / July 16, 1861."

The letter dates from the opening months of the war, when Ruggles held command of Confederate forces along the Rappahannock with headquarters at Fredericksburg, charged with organizing and posting the newly raised regiments of the region. The recipient is believed to be John Mercer Brockenbrough (1830-1892), colonel of the 40th Virginia Infantry, a regiment raised in the Northern Neck counties and organized under Ruggles' command that summer. The selection of campgrounds for these new commands was precisely the business of the season, and the note captures the ordinary work of building an army five days before First Manassas.

A West Point graduate of the Class of 1833, Ruggles was born in Barre, Massachusetts, but had married into a Virginia family and made his home at Fredericksburg. He resigned his U.S. commission in 1861, entered Virginia service, and was commissioned brigadier general in the Confederate army in August 1861. At Shiloh he commanded the First Division of Bragg's Corps and is credited with assembling the massed line of artillery - often called "Ruggles' Battery" - brought to bear on the Hornet's Nest, the bombardment generally associated with the surrender of Union Gen. Benjamin Prentiss and the remnant of his command. Brockenbrough went on to lead the 40th Virginia through the Seven Days and later commanded Heth's old brigade at Gettysburg, including during the July 3 assault.

The letter measures approximately 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and is presented on a display sheet with a copy portrait of Ruggles and typed caption.

CONDITION:  Light, even toning with faint ruled lines visible. A single word overwritten by the writer in the second line of text. Light soiling and a faint impression at upper left. Ink strong and fully legible; bold signature with flourish. Loose, not mounted; presented on a black backing within the display sheet. Good overall.      [ss][ph:L]

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