Item No. 4419083

This undated letter was written by Captain Claude Gibson, likely while attempting to organize the artillery battery that would bear his name. Gibson’s Battery would serve in the Confederate Army in Louisiana throughout much of 1862, sometimes attached to Colonel William R. Miles’s Legion. The letter was written from New Orleans, so likely prior to the city’s fall to the Union Navy in late April. Gibson writes to an unidentified general—perhaps Major General Mansfield Lovell, who commanded from New Orleans early that spring. The letter’s full transcript reads:

New Orleans
Saturday evening—

General:
In accordance with verbal instructions from you this afternoon I immediately went in search of horses and mules to appear with my battery mounted at Brigade review; but I have not been able to purchase sufficient number of either.

I beg to say, moreover, that only the officers are sufficiently drilled in Battery maneuvers to appear on parade & inspection in that capacity. But I can turn out the command dismounted and without side ams if that is desirable.

I shall be ready for any drill after Monday—I inspected the battery today & found everything ready & require nothing but horses.
Very respectfully
Claude Gibson—Capt Artly.

The letter was written on a single side of a 4-page bifolium letter sheet measuring about 5 1/4” x 8”. Excellent condition with light toning. Creased at the original folds.