Lot 77 email save

Excellent South Carolina Ordnance Letter

Sign In to see what this sold for

Autograph Letter Signed, "W.G. Eason Maj. A. Ord. Off. S.C." 4p. quarto, State of South Carolina Ordnance Office, Charleston, November 13, 1863, addressed to Governor Bonham, and reads in most part: "…The report of James Tupper Esq. State Auditor, with exhibit to your Excellency, the workings of this Department, for the past year, the amount of cash received and disbursed, together with the property returns, of the two State Arsenals, showing receipts, issuees, and amount on hand of all Ordnance, and Ordnance Stores. The Legislature at its last General Session appropriated a sum of money, for the purpose of Constructiong Seven of 'Georges' Revolving cannon under your instructions to carry out the object of the resolution. I have the honor to report, that Five (5) of the cannon of 1 ¼ in. calibre, have been finished, and inspected, the work is faithfully executed, the Sheet Iron Armor advised in the resolution, was not adopted inasmuch as it was deemed impracticable only adding to the weight of the piece. Mr. George has been paid the proportionate rate for the work finished, he contemplates finishing the other two, in the course of a few months, these Guns have been housed in the Arsenal at Columbia. I would respectfully recommend, that they be placed in such positions as to be best used against the enemy and to test the value of the guns in the field. On the 29th of July last, the 'State Works' situated at Greenville, S.C. under the General Superintendence of Mr. J. Ralph Smith, was by your order placed under the control of this department, they are at present engaged in the manufacture of 'Morses Carbine' one hundred of which are now complete…A quantity of Irons, for Field Gun Carriages, Cassions, Battery Wagons, and Forges have been prepared and are now in store. Some wrought iron 'Brooke' belts for rifle cannon have been forged under an order from the Confederate States Navy Department…Under an order from the Confederate States Army, preparations are now being made to cast a large quantity of Shot and Shell, and are also getting up the Irons for Columbiad Carriages…The Majority of the Ordnance and Ordnance Stores have been removed from Charleston to Columbia, and are now in Arsenal Stores houses…" Fine.

View Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction