Letter signed to North Carolina Governor Henry T. Clark.
Weldon, N.C.: 4 February 1862. 3 pp., (196 x 249 mm). Condition : light creases, else fine. deploying forces to oppose burnside's north carolina expedition. A fine letter by Martin, then serving as adjutant general for North Carolina State troops, concerning troop deployments in opposition to Burnside's ongoing expedition in North Carolina. Writing from the strategically vital town of Weldon on the Roanoke River, a critical railroad junction that linked Petersburg, VA with Wilmington, NC, the latter a key port for Confederate blockade runners. Burnside's campaign had commenced a week prior to this letter, capturing Roanoke Island on February 10. Martin writes, in part: "…the 24th Regt. N.C. Troops (Colonel Clark [sic]) already at Garysburg with one company of Cavalry. During the afternoon Colonel Hoke's Regt. (the 38th N.C. Troops) arrived and went into camp on the Eastern bank of the [Roanoke] River opposite this place. About three hundred Cavalry & two Batteries of Artillery it is said, will be at Garysburg during the night from Virginia…Colonel Clark, and the other troops from Virginia were ordered to report to General Huger for further instructions; this was done today by letter & tellegram [sic]. The orders Colonel Hoke has received, are to guard the Weldon Bridge. Colonel Leventhrope has gone to Hamilton & is to go to Williamston blocking up the river as he goes…" Martin continued outlining troop dispositions adding "…Your tellegram of this date is this moment…received…I think there is necessity of sending the Wake Militia no tents yet. Brigadier Blanchard C.S.A. commanding one of General Huger's brigades, came in at tea time from Winton & has gone on to Norfolk. He says the enemy came nearly to Colrain, but did not land, & returned to Edenton. Lt. Col Williams 32nd Regt: N.C. troops is at Winton with his battalion one Battery & some Cavalry - Colonel Wright with a Georgia Regt & a Battery [is] at South Mills. Colonel Henningsen it is supposed has joined him with two Batteries under his charge. Colonel Wright we in Elizabeth City on Tuesday night, rode down to the wharf & saw twenty tow of the enemy's vessels in the harbor, but none in the town…In my opinion some General should be specially charged with the command of the troops down the Roanoke River & in the direction of the Chowan [River], the distance is too great for them to be controlled by either General Huger or General Gatlin except in the most general way…" Martin may also be subtly alluding the shortcomings of Huger and Gatlin. Indeed, the two generals shared much of the official blame for the fall of Roanoke Island and Burnsides' subsequent advances. Richard C. Gatlin was removed from his command following the capture of New Bern on March 14, 1862. Benjamin Huger remained in his command through the Seven Days battles; his disappointing service in those battles that finally sidelined Huger to staff duties. To his credit, Martin would earn a general's commission in May 1862, and a regular field command in 1863 serving heroically in the early days of the Petersburg campaign. a superb military content letter demonstrating Martin's great administrative capacity and understanding of strategic considerations.
Letter signed to North Carolina Governor Henry T. Clark.
Weldon, N.C.: 4 February 1862. 3 pp., (196 x 249 mm). Condition : light creases, else fine. deploying forces to oppose burnside's north carolina expedition. A fine letter by Martin, then serving as adjutant general for North Carolina State troops, concerning troop deployments in opposition to Burnside's ongoing expedition in North Carolina. Writing from the strategically vital town of Weldon on the Roanoke River, a critical railroad junction that linked Petersburg, VA with Wilmington, NC, the latter a key port for Confederate blockade runners. Burnside's campaign had commenced a week prior to this letter, capturing Roanoke Island on February 10. Martin writes, in part: "…the 24th Regt. N.C. Troops (Colonel Clark [sic]) already at Garysburg with one company of Cavalry. During the afternoon Colonel Hoke's Regt. (the 38th N.C. Troops) arrived and went into camp on the Eastern bank of the [Roanoke] River opposite this place. About three hundred Cavalry & two Batteries of Artillery it is said, will be at Garysburg during the night from Virginia…Colonel Clark, and the other troops from Virginia were ordered to report to General Huger for further instructions; this was done today by letter & tellegram [sic]. The orders Colonel Hoke has received, are to guard the Weldon Bridge. Colonel Leventhrope has gone to Hamilton & is to go to Williamston blocking up the river as he goes…" Martin continued outlining troop dispositions adding "…Your tellegram of this date is this moment…received…I think there is necessity of sending the Wake Militia no tents yet. Brigadier Blanchard C.S.A. commanding one of General Huger's brigades, came in at tea time from Winton & has gone on to Norfolk. He says the enemy came nearly to Colrain, but did not land, & returned to Edenton. Lt. Col Williams 32nd Regt: N.C. troops is at Winton with his battalion one Battery & some Cavalry - Colonel Wright with a Georgia Regt & a Battery [is] at South Mills. Colonel Henningsen it is supposed has joined him with two Batteries under his charge. Colonel Wright we in Elizabeth City on Tuesday night, rode down to the wharf & saw twenty tow of the enemy's vessels in the harbor, but none in the town…In my opinion some General should be specially charged with the command of the troops down the Roanoke River & in the direction of the Chowan [River], the distance is too great for them to be controlled by either General Huger or General Gatlin except in the most general way…" Martin may also be subtly alluding the shortcomings of Huger and Gatlin. Indeed, the two generals shared much of the official blame for the fall of Roanoke Island and Burnsides' subsequent advances. Richard C. Gatlin was removed from his command following the capture of New Bern on March 14, 1862. Benjamin Huger remained in his command through the Seven Days battles; his disappointing service in those battles that finally sidelined Huger to staff duties. To his credit, Martin would earn a general's commission in May 1862, and a regular field command in 1863 serving heroically in the early days of the Petersburg campaign. a superb military content letter demonstrating Martin's great administrative capacity and understanding of strategic considerations.
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