Wounded in the battle of Lookout Mountain!
Document Signed
(1831-98) Born in Richmond, Va., he moved to Holly Springs, Miss. as a ten year old boy, and was educated at St. Thomas Hall. He later studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1852, and four years later was elected district attorney. In 1861, he was elected lieutenant of the Yalobusha Rifles, which became part of the 15th Mississippi Infantry. Shortly afterwards he was elevated to rank of lieutenant colonel of the regiment playing a prominent role in the battle of Mill Springs, Ky. He was elected colonel of the 29th Mississippi Infantry on April 11, 1862, and led them at Corinth and in the Kentucky campaign. Promoted to brigadier general on December 13, 1862, he fought gallantly in the battles at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. In the latter campaign, he commanded the Confederates in what became known as the "Battle above the Clouds," at Lookout Mountain. His thin line earned distinction during this battle and Walthall himself suffered a painful wound in the foot. He again fought with distinction in the Atlanta campaign, and was promoted to rank of major general July 6, 1864. He then fought with General John Bell Hood in Tennessee having two horses shot out from under him during the battle of Franklin. He commanded the Confederate rear guard on their retreat from Nashville, and then fought with the Army of Tennessee during the Carolinas campaign, eventually being paroled on May 1, 1865, at Greensboro, N.C. After the war he resumed his law practice and was an active leader in trying to overthrow the carpetbag government in Mississippi. He was elected to the U.S. Senate serving from 1885-98.
Document Signed: 8 x 10 1/2, in ink, on imprinted Southern Railroad Association, Mississippi Central Railroad Company, Water Valley, Miss. letter sheet. Dated July 1, 1874.
The letter concerns railroad stock. It has been nicely endorsed by E.C. Walthall, on the reverse.
Light age toning and wear. Very fine. |