Lot 1183
(Confederate) Gist, States Rights (1831-1864) Confederate general; killed at Franklin November 30, 1864. Rare Autograph Letter Signed ("S.R. Gist") as Brigadier General of the 9th Brigade South Carolina Militia, Union Courthouse, March 23, 1860, 1p. octavo. To General J.H. Williams, resigning his military position. Gist writes from headquarters of the 9th Brigade, SCM: "Gen'l Williams / Dear Sir, I here with tender you my resignation as Brig Gen'l of 9th Brig of S.C.M. Being convinced that all prospect of a difficulty has been postponed for years, by the action of Virginia I have concluded to resign my miliitary position. Col W J T Gleem of the 35th Regt is the senior col of the Brigade…." Gist was convinced that there would be no war in the near future because at that time Virginia had shown no inclination to join the other southern states in secession. Without the imminent prospect of war, Gist felt that there was no reason for him to be in the military.
South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860 and in early 1861, Gist was named Adjutant and Inspector General of the South Carolina state army. He was at Fort Sumter and when Bee was killed at 1st Bull Run, Gist succeeded him in command of his brigade. He returned to S.C. as Adjutant General, was appointed B.G. C.S.A. on March 20, 1862, served on the S.C. coast, then was sent to Vicksburg in May of '63. He commanded Walker's division at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, then led his own brigade in the Atlanta campaign. He accompanied Hood on his invasion of Tennessee. During a suicidal charge at Franklin on November 30, 1864, Gist was killed instantly while leading his men on foot after his horse was shot. Out of 26,897 Confederate troops, 6,252 were lost. In addition to General Gist, the Confederates lost Generals Cleburne, J. Adams, Strahl and H.B. Granbury.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
|
| |
| Realized $2,070 |
