8th New Hampshire Infantry - Confederate Flag of Truce

Item LTR-11222

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Fort McPherson
Natchez, Mississippi
 
November 16, 1864
 
Colonel Fearing,
 
I suppose you have seen Lieutenant Newhall in the City of New Orleans and he has informed you what we are all doing up here in this City.
 
Captain Bell has at last run the length of his rope.  The circular enclosed was written by Bell and approved by Brigadier General Brayman the 13^th of this month.  They were given to the picket on the morning of the 14^th.  Bell told Captain Landers that he had an engagement at 1 p.m. but did not say where.  He went to the outlying Vidette and there met an officer of the Confederate service with a flag of truce.  The Officer asked him if he would allow him to ride into town and get something to eat while he was waiting for an answer to the flag of truce from General Brayman.  Bell told him yes, but he should have to send an orderly with him around the City.  When Bell met the Officer at the Vidette, he took the communication from him and carried it to General Brayman’s Headquarters.  The General read it and told Bell that he would send an answer back in one hour.  He also told Bell to have the flag of truce remain at the outpost.  But Bell allowed the Officer to come in to see his folks and get something to eat.  After the General had got his answer ready, he sent an Officer with a flag of true to carry the dispatch out to the rebel flag of truce.  After he got out a few miles, he found that the Officer was in town.  When he came back and arrested the Confederate Officer and orderly for leaving his flag and coming into our lines.  General Brayman ordered Bell to be arrested and put into jail.  I have been told that when Bell was arrested, he was drunk he did not know what he was about.  It is not anything more than can be expected to have him under arrest for drunkenness.  But we all think this time that he will be cashiered.  He wrote these printed instructions and had them printed and was the first man to break them.  There are a great many stories afloat which I will not write now.
 
He does not get much sympathy from the officers in this regiment.  Lieutenant Prescott has received a Captain Commission for G Company.  Marshall has received an Adjutant Commission.  Blaisdell that was an Acting Sergeant Major is 1^st Lieutenant, Company G.  everything else remains the same.
 
The health of the regiment is good.  I will write to you again soon.
 
From
 
George S. Eayrs