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War Date LS by Daniel Ruggles

Daniel RUGGLES. Letter signed to Major James R. Crenshaw, authorizing supplies to be purchased for the use of his volunteer force at Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek.

Fredericksburg, VA: 8 May 1861. 1½ pp., folded sheet ruled paper with integral blank (250 x 200 mm). Docketed on verso of the blank. very early war-date letter, written as a brigadier general in the provisional army of the state of virginia, anticipating the union naval bombardment of confederate batteries at aquia creek. The letter, written to the Commissary General of Volunteer Forces in Richmond, authorizes purchases to be made by Captain Seth B. French: "I deem it proper to remark that purchases made by him are in accordance with my instructions in anticipation of the wants of the Forces authorised to be assembled here." Ruggles further suggests that corn be used in lieu of flour as it is more plentiful in the region and "of purchasing a large number of beef cattle and held in reserve in part for the use of the forces." Ruggles concludes the letter by suggesting that assistant commissaries of subsistence be appointed by the department. Following Sumter, Virginia seceded from the Union on 17 April 1861. Ruggles officially resigned his commission in the U.S. Army on 7 May 1861 -- the day prior to this letter. However, he had begun working for the provisional army of Virginia at an earlier date, scouting the region near Aquia Creek for the placement of batteries. The Battle of Aquia Creek (29 May - 1 June 1861) would be the first battle of the war between the Union navy and Confederate batteries. This is the earliest war-date letter by Ruggles that we could locate appearing at auction.