CSA 11, 10¢ blue, superb with 4 large even margins, pen canceled with no town postmark but the letter heading establishes origin as “Near Perkins Ferry (Alabama) Coosa River, March 4th, 1865.“ Addressed to “Gen. B.J. Hill, Jacksonville, Ala.” with docketing up left end establishing date by “Answered March 11th 1865.” There are no covers listed from Gen. Benjamin J. Hill in the CSA Catalog. I am uncertain if there are any recorded to him. The CSA Catalog notes there are some 50 Confederate government-ranked generals from whom mail is only recorded to them. Signed by sender “H.W. Arledge, Capt. Com(manding) Co(mpany) Scouts” who states to General Hill that when he left Hill’s headquarters near Oxford, he proceeded to Perkins Ferry on the Coosa River. Part of his command is on this side of the river, but they were to collect the balance of the company and proceed to Bridgeport. Arledge has just learned that Hill requests him to report to him at Jacksonville. He states he will do so if high water does not prevent him. He is troubled about arms and ammunition. He states that some of his men are poorly mounted. Transcription included. A LATE USE with great military content from a SCOUT.  FABULOUS ORIGINAL MILITARY LETTER to a general officer. Click here to read second page of letter. Ex Milgram. Article about this cover and letter in 1Q 2023 La Posta. $550.

SCOUTS were generally skilled horsemen who were experienced in operating in enemy territory and adept at collecting useful intelligence and surveilling union army movements.

H.W. Arledge served in Company I, Tennessee 28th Cavalry. He is shown as a prisoner of war surrendered by Brig.Gen. B.J. Hill at Chattanooga Tenn on May 16, 1865. His oath of allegiance/parole is on file at the National Archives, signed in the same hand as the letter. At the website Tennessee & the Civil War , it is noted that “No record of authorization for this regiment was found except in parole records in 1865, most of them dated May 16, 1865, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was probably formed in 1865 by the addition of other companies to a battalion of Cavalry or Scouts commanded in December 1864, by Captain Jourdan Hays. On December 11, 1864, Lieutenant General John B. Hood, with headquarters on the Franklin Pike, six miles from Nashville, advised Colonel Benjamin J. Hill, commanding at Shelbyville: “Captain Jourdan Hays, commanding a battalion of Cavalry, has been ordered to report to you with his command, without delay. His battalion will constitute a portion of your command.” On the same date, instructions were issued to Captain Jourdan Hays, near Winchester, to report to Colonel Hill. On December 14, inquiry was made as to whether Captain Hays had reported as ordered. This is the only record found on Captain Hays’ Battalion.” 

Brigadier-General Benjamin J. Hill (1825-1880) was commissioned Colonel of the 35th Tennessee upon its organization in September 1861. In 1862, the regiment became known as the 5th Tennessee. It was part of General Pat Claiborne's brigade at the Battle of Shiloh. In this battle, Hill commanded, for a time, the left of Cleburne’s Brigade and several other regiments. He was highly commended for his gallantry. At Chickamauga the gallant colonel won from Lt. Gen. D. H. Hill the following tribute: "The extraordinary merit of Colonel Hill of the Thirty-fifth Tennessee came under my personal observation. This noble officer has been distinguished on many a hard-fought field, and has been content with a subordinate position, provided he can serve his country."  During part of 1863 and 1864, Hill was General Provost-Marshal of the Army of Tennessee. Hill was promoted to Brigadier General November 30, 1864.