Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed

“While the enemy threatens our front, and there remains a reasonable prospect or hope for him to advance, I will not leave my post except to meet him."

Autograph Letter Signed, 8 ¼” x 10 ½”, four pages on a folded letter-sheet, with exceptional content.  Writing to his wife from winter encampment in the northern Virginia, Griffith details the dire situation of matters within the Confederate Army, shares emotional reflections on family and friends, and mentions several slaves by name.

“H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs 1^st Corps Army Potomac, Leesburg, V[irgini]a, Jan[uar]y 21^st 1862. 

My darling wife,

My last letter to you had scarcely been mailed, when much to my delight, yours of 10^th inst[ant] was placed in my hands, acknowledging the receipt of the $10.00 for little Georgy’s new year’s gift.  Happy indeed was I to learn that all at home were well once more, and sincerely do I hope you may thus continue – and that health, happiness and prosperity may constantly attend you until we meet again.  But when that may be I am unable to say at present.  While the enemy threatens our front, and there remains a reasonable prospect or hope for him to advance, I will not leave my post except to meet him.  For the past week the weather has been moderate and wet, & the ground in consequence becoming quite soft.  Should similar weather continue much longer, the roads will become impassable for Artillery and heavy wagon trains, and render active field operations for troops utterly impracticable.  Then I may seize upon the auspicious moment and run home, if to remain there only a few days.  After much beseeching I have yielded to the wishes of my Adj[utant] Gen[era]l and consented to recommend him for a Furlough of 30 days.  During his absence I can’t think of leaving, as much confusion would ensue in the official business of my department – having no other competent to supply his place.  Gen[era]l Hill with assistance of Col[onel] Barksdale could readily fill my post, but my aid is not qualified to step into the shoes of my Adjutant.  To undertake the qualifying another is just what I don’t feel disposed to do just now.  The preparing od one was a huge task, and required several months training, and to attempt to teach another, who is not a very apt scholar, would be a herculean labor, and too much for one year’s campaign.  When

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Capt[ain] Inge returns from his Furlough, I may then be able to leave, which will be most likely towards the latter part of February, providing the opposing armies continue as they now are.  Should I not get the privilege of a short leave, you will be informed of it, and there I shall certainly insist upon a visit from you.  Ere this I should have persuaded you to visit Leesburg, but I knew full well the troubles and difficulties such a trip at this season of the year – encumbered with children and baggage, over broken & interrupted rail roads.  It would be hazardous in the extreme, unless accompanied by someone that could attend to all your wants & wishes to render you comfortable.  Such trips had better be postponed to a more favorable season.  You may rest assured I will come home on a visit if I can possibly leave my post in security.  This however I intend keeping to myself.

As yet, dear wife, those wished for reinforcements have not been furnished, and I much fear they will be looked for in vain.  Gen[era]l Beauregard cannot spare them without weakening his lines.  He has sent us some ordnance which is of material importance, and we have the promise of some more.  But we need an increase of infantry, as well as of Cavalry and Artillery.  Our ranks are being gradually thinned, and no recruits coming to supply the vacancies.  Spring may find our troops going home – their present term of enlistment having expired – and without re-enlistment of new troops, the field must be abandoned to the enemy, and Virginia wil be lost to us, and with the loss of Virginia all is gone and the ‘rebellion crushed.’  The prospect to me just now seems gloomy indeed, but I look for a bright and cheerful dawn.  The women of our Country will be its hope and salvation.  They must not permit the men to remain at home while we have an invading and heartless foe on our borders.  Let them point the finger od scorn at every able bodied man who refuses or fails to meet his country’s call.  Duty demands his service and he is a bare recreant who declines to respond favorably.

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Glad to learn Dr. Buck has returned home, for I shall feel much better satisfied with his Medical attendance in our family; at same time intending no disparagement to the other Doctors of Jackson.  By the papers I see that our Governor has recalled the 60 days militia or Supernumeraries.  I suppose they will be turned into a Home Guard again – filling a place that could be much better occupied by one heroic and patriotic woman – the support of the army – God bless them – following the war worn soldiers with their tears, their blessing, and their prayers – encouraging and cheering him in his manly duty.  Excuse me, dear wife, for writing so much on these matters.  My heart is in it.

I thank you for re-fitting the orchard – it was much needed.  It seems to me that Tom is sufficiently intelligent to cut out the dead limbs and twigs, and shorten in the too much extended  branches.  Perhaps he is the best chance under the circumstances – with Jim Brown or Jim Gardener to assist.  Mr. Allen may have returned by this time, and may be profitably employed again at home.  But I would much rather see him in the ranks as a soldier.  By the way, in riding along the brigade line I saw Mr. Tripp – he has not called to see me.  I also saw Mr. Pat O’conner – my old gardener – in the ranks, and many others I might name whom you might have known – old & young.  Do you know one Ja[me]s D. Green, son of Thomas K. Green?  He is in the ranks here and has applied to me for some position that would relieve him.  If it is the one I think, I don’t like the stock.  Such applications are very numerous, pressing, and very annoying often.  The old linen baby coat was understood by me at first sight, & my remark was simply intended to plague you.  It has been very useful.  It is to be regretted that I did not write you sooner in regard to my account with Shaw & Doherty.  The amount of the bill seems very large, but it may be all correct, except as to the extravagant prices.  When I return will look into it more carefully.  It may be well enough however that it is settled.  Would prefer not to be in debt any where.

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The approach of the Yankees to Jackson from Ship Island need not be apprehended.  The route is not a practicable one.  But I am glad to hear you say they would not find you there to receive them.  In that event the valiant-Home Guard will be called into requisition, and can render themselves useful, and no doubt would.  Yankee threats amount to but little.  For the last three months or more they have been threatening to annihilate our army on the Potomac, but they have scarcely moved from their intrenchments & dare not.  They were to move forward on the 15^th inst[ant], but postponed it to the 25^th, and after that I presume it will be prolonged indefinitely.  We wish they would come – are prepared to give them a warm reception.  Your arrangements for supply of meat &c. for the year is a most excellent one, and meets my full approbation.  Pay Pa the full market price for pork as his proposition is exceedingly generous.  The meat you have, and arranged for, with plenty of Molasses and cornmeal will amply feed the negroes.  And then the potatoes.

How happy it makes me, dear wife, to know that I am loved and thought of by my children as well as by yourself.  In this I am favored and blessed as in other relations of life.  Tell Whitfield not to be impatient, that his Father will write go him again soon, as well as to Jefferson.  To my dear Lucy I must also write something, whether she can read it or not.  To-morrow or next day, I shall look for another from you.  I have written much in this sheet, and said but little – what you don’t wish to read, consider as blank. And save yourself the trouble, as I do frequently with these in which I feel no interest from seeing the name subscribed.  I am indebted to a Mr. J.D. Weil for sending me the Mississippian.  Should you meet him my thanks.  It is late at night and snowing – ground covered again.  Remember me kindly to all, and kiss the babies.  My military family all well.  Have not written half what I wanted to say.   May God bless you all and shield you from harm and danger is the fervent prayer of Your affectionate husband, R. Griffith.”

[Postscript, penned upside-down in the upper margin of Page 1]

"The enclosed dollar is for any negro you may see proper to give it – unless such has already received one.  I will send Whitty one to give away, and also Lucy.  Kiss Lucy often for me."

Accompanied by the 3 ½” x 6” transmittal envelope, addressed by Griffith to his wife, “Mrs. Gen[era]l R. Griffith, Care Col[onel] J.D. Stewart, Jackson, Mississippi,” with a Leesburg, Virginia postmark and two five-cent Confederate postage stamps affixed at upper left.

The letter is in excellent condition and highly legible, with light toning and the expected folds; there is heavier wear and soiling, a few small tears, at the edges of the transmittal envelope.