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As Commander of the Department of Southern Virginia and North Carolina. Includes correspondence with Confederate Surgeon General Samuel P. Moore, North Carolina Governor Zebulon Vance, and Major General W.H.C. Whiting, who commanded Fort Fisher, the largest Confederate fort, protecting Wilmington. [To Vance:] “Whitford reports that the enemy will make a show at Kinston to day to cover his attack on Wilmington. The expedition he says has left Newbern. Artillery and horses shipped on the 13^th. Help us all you can with transportation...”

GUSTAVUS W. SMITH. Retained copies of 9 letters from Smith’s orderly book, three signed by the general and six signed for him by clerks, to [various]. Goldsboro, N.C., January 15-16, 1863. 4 pp., legal folio.

Inventory #21841       Price: $1,400

[For Complete Transcript, See Below:]

Historical Background

After Ambrose Burnside’s conquest of Roanoke Island and New Bern (Feb.-March, 1862), much of eastern North Carolina was occupied by the Union Army. The last state to secede from the Union, North Carolina was the site of few battles but sent 125,000 men to fight for the Confederacy. During the war the Union supporters retained a significant presence throughout the state, raising several regiments for the U.S. Army. Confederate Governor Zebulon Vance, as evidenced in this correspondence, was a fierce proponent of local government, individual rights, and states’ rights, and often criticized President Jefferson Davis.

When Robert E. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia, the direction of the defense of Richmond fell to Major General Gustavus W. Smith. Soon, Smith was put in charge of the vast Department of Southern Virginia and North Carolina, and he supervised a string of small Confederate garrisons in North Carolina that checked Union advances, protected the countryside, and ensured the safety of Fort Fisher, defending the last major Confederate port city not occupied by the Union.

Gustavus W. Smith (1821-1896) of Georgia was an 1842 graduate of West Point who compiled a splendid record as an engineer in the Mexican War. Smith was promoted very early in the war, first to brigadier general, then to major general, and commanded a wing of Joseph Johnston’s army on the Virginia Peninsula, briefly succeeding him after he was wounded, and before Robert E. Lee was named as a permanent replacement. Smith was assigned to command the Department of Southeastern Virginia and North Carolina, and was, briefly, interim Secretary of War after the resignation of George Randolph and before appointee James Seddon assumed office. Disgusted that he was passed over for promotion in favor of junior officers such as James Longstreet and Stonewall Jackson, Smith resigned in 1863, and headed up Georgia’s state forces in time for the Atlanta Campaign of 1864.

Complete Transcript

Goldsboro January 15 1862

Telegram.
Governor Z B Vance Raleigh N.C.
We want assistance on the Rail Road lease help the Government agent here in getting additional rolling stock. Can you not come down. Matters are getting interesting, and I need your help.

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj. Genl.

Goldsboro. Jan. the 15^th 1863

Gov. Z.B. Vance Raleigh
Col. Leventhorp cannot well be spared, would not some officer not now commanding a regiment answer your purpose. Whitford reports that the enemy will make a show at Kinston to day to cover his attack on Wilmington. The expedition he says has left Newbern. Artillery and horses shipped on the 13^th. Help us all you can with transportation. The government agent here is acting for Colonel Wadley and will let you know what trains we require. Will be glad to see you, when you are able to come.

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj Genl. [2]

Goldsboro [N.C.] Jany. 15^th 1863

Maj Genl. S.G. French
Comdg. &c Weldon
It is important for you to come forward to this place as soon as possible bring such of your staff with you as you can conveniently. Let me know when to expect you.

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj Genl.

Goldsboro Jany 15^th 1863

Brig. Genl W.H.C. Whiting
Comdg. Wilmington
Genl. Evans telegraphs that Capt. Whitford reports the enemy will make a show at Kinston to day to cover his attack on Wilmington, the expedition he says has left Newbern, Artillery and horses shipping on the 13^th; you say this morning the best course will be the speediest - explain your self in cypher. I have sent for French on his arrival here will try to opp. Man.

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj Genl.

Telegram Goldsboro Jany 15^th. 1863
Major Graham Dawes AAG.
Weldon
Transportation will be sent to Weldon as soon as practicable, and held there get moving the troops from that point; the troops to be kept in readiness to move [3] at short notice. But the order for the troops to move from there has not yet been given

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj Genl.

Goldsboro Jany 15^th 1863

Telegram. Col. John Withers AAG.
Richmond
Capt Riley cannot be spared at present.

Signed G.W. Smith
Maj Gen’l.

Goldsboro. Jany 15. 1863

Telegram. Moore, D^r S[amuel] P. Moore
Surgeon General, Richmond V^a.
For the limited period of D^r Guillard’s absence, I think D^r Liscott, who is familiar with the duty, will answer very well.

G.W. Smith
Maj. Genl.

Jany 15. 1863

Hatch Cap^t W.H. – aaGenl
Richmond V^a.
Send the four companies of Daniels’ Brigade which have been on duty in the city, if there has been no recent cases of small-pox amongst them. They belong to the 45^th. 53^d & 32^d NoCa Regts.

G.W. Smith
Maj Gen. [4]

Goldsboro Jany 16^th 1863

Vance Governor Z.B.
Raleigh
My Dear Sir.
Your note of the 10^th enclosing letter from Mr B S Gurion to yourself of the 3^d inst was duly read, and refered to the government agent at this point, Mr John D. Whitford,
His reply and that of Mr Harvey is herewith transmitted.
I beg to assure you that it is not my intention to interfere with transportation upon any of the Rail Roads, except in cases where the public interest and safety demand it _ And then only through the appointed agents and officers. I regret that there has been any delay in the movement of the State cattle and hope that there will be no further cause of complaint. I cannot close this note without thanking you for the prompt and efficient assistance so kindly rendered by you in our operations at a time when in my judgment the success of our army depended upon R R transportation –
I remain Governor, with great respect, most truly yours

G.W. Smith
Maj. Gen.

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