Seth Kaller, Inc.

A Confederate foot soldier reports a famous friendly-fire death.

[CIVIL WAR]. Thomas W.G. Inglet. Autograph Letter Signed, to Martha Inglet. “Camp near Fredericksburg,” [Md.], May 14, 1863. 4 pp., 4 x 6¼ in.

Inventory #22498       Price: $675

Partial Transcript:

“My Deare wife

I will write you a few lines to inform you of my health I am well and I hope that this letter may find you and all the rest the same I have nothing much to write to you only our Stone wall is ded he died on the 11 inst. and when he died I felt like some of my own folks was ded I am now about 2 miles from camps I am tender to the wounded I have ben doing that for a weake an I don’t no how much longer I will have to Stay one poor fellow died last night he belonged to the 53rd Georgia Regiment. ... I will send you a Yankee colonel.”

Historical Background

Thomas Inglet was 22-year-old farmer when he enlisted in the 28th Georgia Volunteer Infantry on September 10, 1861. He married Martha A. Palmer, whom he clearly misses bitterly over the course of the war. Thomas’s company was comprised of men from the counties around Augusta, Georgia and contained a number of his friends and neighbors. Andrew Edwin Inglett and Thomas Inglett were also comrades, and though they spelled surnames differently, Thomas W. G. Inglet may have used both his middle initials on all documents and letters to avoid confusion.

Inglet saw action at Seven Pines on May 31, 1862, where his regiment lost over 150 men. He was promoted to sergeant by June 21, but shortly thereafter went home without leave due to the death of his two daughters. He rejoined his company and served in the Shenandoah Valley under Stonewall Jackson in October and November 1862. His regiment participated in the defense of Fredericksburg. After a brief furlough, Inglet participated in the Chancellorsville campaign and was wounded in the temple and arm. Here, he reported the death of Stonewall Jackson to his wife. The next month, his unit moved on to Fort Wagner, South Carolina. He was again wounded in the Battle of Olustee (Florida) on February 20, 1863. Inglet returned to Virginia in May, and his unit fought almost constantly in Petersburg and Richmond in the summer and fall of 1864. He was severely wounded in the right leg on October 7 He was still recovering at war’s end. His correspondence spans the entire war.

Condition

Fine

Sources

“Civil War Studies: Soldiers Voices.”

http://www.soldierstudies.org/index.php?action=soldier_profile&Soldier=27

Add to Cart Ask About This Item Add to Favorites