Summary:
Confederate Michael Harman, commanding at Staunton, writes Governor Letcher of
Virginia in May, 1861. Harman reports on an expedition to Grafton, as well as
his efforts to arm and organize new Confederate units in Staunton.
QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS,
Governor LETCHER:
Staunton, Va.,
May 26, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR:
I inclose you the letters of Maj. Turk, Col. Christian, and my special messenger, Doctor Wayt. You will see from the letters that the expedition has proved a success. I have, in accordance with your dispatch by your aide, Col. S. Bassett French, sent 500 shirts and 100 pairs of pants, and directed them to be issued and the captain of each company's receipt to be taken, specifying that the cost of same was to be deducted from the pay of the men. On yesterday I started the battalion cavalry, well armed, to Grafton. The Greenbrier Cavalry, a fine body of men, arrived to-day, and I send W. H. Peyton, esq., down to get army pistols, double-barrel shotguns, or single-barrel shotguns, to enable me to arm this company and send them at once to Grafton. I have nearly sabers enough and ten pairs of pistols and holsters and with the aid you can give me doubtless can arm them. I regret to report the desertion of ten men belonging to the Greenbrier Sharpshooters, Capt. Brown, last night. I have sent after them, and hope to overtake them and bring them back. Maj. Turk and Col. Christian went with the very first men to Harper's Ferry, and when by the action of the convention, they were cut off, without a murmur, when I called on them to head the expedition to Grafton they, with James J. A. Trotter, James E. Carson, and Capt. H. L. Opie, started and traveled night and day with the expedition and have succeeded. Allow me to urge upon Your Excellency that you appoint Col.'s Turk, Christian, and Trotter to such positions as you can assign them in the volunteer service of the State in the northwest. Such service sought to be rewarded, and Turk is one of the most gallant men in the State. Your letter by Mr. Getty came to hand to-day, and I assure you I feel most highly complimented by the estimate you hold my services to my State, which I know far exceeds my merits. Col. Echols has gone to Harper's Ferry, and leaves me in command here. I need aid and H. M. Bell, esq., has been assisting me. Give him an appointment and he will be able, as he has heretofore done, to give efficient aid to the State. Of his qualifications and high character I need not say one word to you, as you know him well.
Yours, truly,
M. G. HARMAN.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 51, Serial No. 108, Pages 112-113, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
