Confederate Requisition for Ordnance – W. R. Garrett (Art., Part. Rangers, Cav.)

Description

Confederate Requisition for Ordnance – W. R. Garrett (Art., Part. Rangers, Cav.)
Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed requisition document, signed twice by a Confederate officer with a very interesting service record. The header for this piece indicates that it is a “
Requisition for Ordnance and Ordnance Stores for the use of
Capt Garrett’s
Company,
First
Regiment
Va Arty
, stationed at
Miners
Farm
commanded by
Capt Garrett
”. Only one type of item was being requisitioned, that being “
16 Setts of Lead Harness (Single)
”, though what this is particularly is unknown to the seller. This is followed by a states which states that “
I certify that the above requisition is correct
”, with the signature of “
W. R. Garrett Capt
” attesting to that fact (there are other things which apparently should have been filled in but were not). The document closes with a statement that the items were “
Received, Yorktown, Va.
” from an un-named “
Ordnance Officer
”, and it is again signed by “
W. R. Garrett Capt
/
Commanding
”. The back of the document was originally blank, though it now bears a manuscript filing notation which reads “
Requisition for
/
Ordnance & Ordnance
/
Stores for
/
Capt Garrett
”. While not particularly impressive as a document, and certainly not historically important itself, the signer of this piece has a very interesting and militarily diverse history. An interesting piece to frame with a wartime portrait of Garrett (if one exists), or definitely a post-war example (he lived a long and active life).
William Robertson Garrett
was born on April 12, 1839 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He entered the College of William and Mary in 1854, graduated in 1858, and studied law at the University of Virginia until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in the 32
nd
Virginia Infantry, serving approximately one month until elected captain in the Lee Artillery, a company raised in his hometown. This unit was soon mustered in as Company F, 1
st
Virginia Artillery, with Garrett serving until the expiration of their term of service in May, 1862 (he performed particularly bravely at the battle of Williamsburg, Virginia). Offered several staff positions, Garrett chose instead to accept a commission to raise a company of cavalry for partisan service in Tennessee. Approximately 100 naval men from the
CSS Virginia
, newly arrived in Richmond, enlisted in Garrett’s unit. Before leaving the area, a naval officer was given authority to organize a fleet of small boats to attack the
USS Galena
, at the time near Drewry’s Bluff. This officer offered Garrett command of one division of the small fleet, a proposition which Garrett readily accepted. Sadly (for the Confederate effort), by the time that they were ready for the attack, the
Galena
had left the area. Garrett returned to Richmond, and subsequently moved west to Tennessee, where he helped organize a battalion of partisan rangers, of which he was made adjutant. The battalion was mustered in as regular cavalry, forming part of the 11
th
Tennessee Cavalry. This unit became part of Dibrell’s brigade of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry (they subsequently served with General Joe Wheeler and as provost guard for General Joseph E. Johnston). Garrett served as adjutant and captain of Company B, until his surrender at Gainesville, Alabama. After the war, Garrett returned to Williamsburg to continue the practice of law, however, he became the master of the grammar school at the College of William and Mary. In January, 1868, he moved to Tennessee, where he held numerous academic positions. William Robertson Garrett died on February 12, 1904 in Nashville, Tennessee and was buried in that city’s Mount Olivet Cemetery.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of expected period usage, though it remains in relatively good condition. Light to moderate toning is noted across the entire surface, slightly more pronounced along the two horizontal filing folds and at the edges (this situation is more obvious on the mostly blank back). The pre-printed material is sharp and bold, while the manuscript additions are somewhat less than ideal. This lack of strength in the written additions may be a result of pen being improperly inked, as some of the writing seems to fade from the beginning of the word to the end (note the first Garrett signature). Though light in areas, all of the printed and manuscript additions are present and legible (two ink smears can be seen, neither seriously affecting the legibility of the text). As noted earlier, two horizontal filing folds bisect this piece, somewhat affecting the integrity of the paper. In addition to the folds, minor wrinkling and a few small edge issues are noted for accuracy. This document is accomplished in period ink on blue-lined light blue paper, and measures approximately 7⅝ x 9¾ inches. This piece would make an excellent addition to any Civil War autograph collection, and a worthy research project to fill in the military (and post-war educational) service of Garrett.
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A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA