1863 Letter to Gen Braxton Bragg — Mother's Search for 4th Ohio Cavalry Officer

Description

This 1863 autograph letter signed by Henry C. Wayne is an example of the humanity shown between the warring sides during the Civil War. Wayne, a former US Army officer, was the Adjutant and Inspector General for the State of Georgia. Writing to Confederate General Braxton Bragg, Wayne relates the details of a letter he had received “on behalf of a widowed mother as to the fate of one Richard W. Neff,” who was a lieutenant in the 4th Ohio Cavalry. The mother’s letter indicates, Wayne writes, that Neff may have been wounded or taken prisoner by General Thomas Hindman’s Confederate division on October 11. He reasons “if Neff was killed I take it none but our own side would know it,” but if the man was a prisoner he hoped Bragg would “give this letter such direction as will give me information him that I may send it to his mother.”
The letter is signed by Wayne at the bottom. The reverse is docketed and signed by Major Kinloch Falconer of Bragg’s inspector general department, as well as Colonel Alexander McKinstey of the 32nd Alabama, who indicates that “no man of this name or description came to my department as prisoner, or killed or wounded.”
It’s unknown what reply Neff’s mother received from the Confederates, if any, but modern records indicate that Richard W. Neff was killed at Chickamauga on September 20.
The letter was written on a letter sheet measuring 8 3/4” x 10 3/4”. It is in good condition with light foxing and toning. The paper is of thin Confederate quality and is a bit delicate at the folds, but holding together quite solidly. The full transcript follows:
State of Georgia
Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office,
Milledgeville, November 16 1863.
General Braxton Bragg C.S.P.A.
Commanding
Near Chattanooga
General
A gentleman of Cincinnati has addressed an inquiry to me on behalf of a widowed mother, as to the fate of one Richard W. Neff, “of either Company I or L, 4th O.V.C., and as he learned fighting as infantry and was killed or wounded or taken prisoner on the 11th of October by General Hindman’s Division.”
If Neff was killed I take it none but our own side would know it. But if wounded and a prisoner, or a prisoner only, can you give this letter such direction as will give me information of him that I may send it to his mother.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Henry C. Wayne
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