Confederacy, [Civil War] James S. Rains. Two page ALS datelined...

Confederacy, [Civil War] James S. Rains. Two page ALS datelined “Quitman Texas, April 2nd 1865” to Thomas C. Reynolds, Confederate Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Mo., “…return to you my grateful thank for your warm endorsement of my application, your other letter…intimating so generously your willingness to back me in an Expedition to Mo…One letter from Arkansas River informs me, that the country is full of southern men, “all anxious to rally to the Standard of the Confederacy if borne by Genl Rains.” This letter also informs me that Genl Jeff. Thompson has been appointed to command everything north of the Arkansas River this news bothers and confuses me, knowing that Genl Thompson is but a State Genl, and my Junior, according to what Genl Smith told us, could not command Confederate Troops… I can and will bring forward a Brigade that will do good service, and one that will greatly contribute to the good of our bleeding cause…”, signed “James. S. Rain, Brig Genl 8th Cav. M.S.G.”, Very Fine, This was written only one month before the end of the war. Estimate; $200 - 300. On May 18, 1861, Governor Claiborne Jackson of Missouri appointed Rains brigadier general of the 8th Division of the Missouri State Guard. While he was an excellent recruiter, the new brigadier was completely unfit for military command. His failure to instill organization and discipline led to derisive nicknames such as “Rains’ Blackberry Cavalry” and routs referred to as “Rains’ Scares.” He was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge and ran afoul of the commander of the Confederate forces, Earl Van Dorn, during the retreat. Rains did not accompany the Missouri forces across the river into Mississippi in April 1862. He remained behind with other Missouri State Guard forces who did not wish to leave the Trans-Mississippi. Major General Thomas Hindman placed Rains in command of the mixed guard and Confederate forces in Northwest Arkansas. Hindman relieved Rains of command in October 1862 for “incompetence and insobriety.” Rains moved to Texas to recover his health. In 1864 he returned to Missouri at the command of Confederate Governor Thomas C. Reynolds to recruit during Price’s Missouri Raid. With the end of the raid, Rains withdrew. Dealer

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95.00 US$ (via Philasearch.com - Confederate States)