Brother of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan

Colonel of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry

Captured during General John Hunt Morgan's famous 1863 Ohio Raid

1863 WAR DATE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED

(1836-1918) Born in Fayette County, Kentucky, he was the younger brother of the legendary Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, and the brother-in-law of Confederate Generals’ Basil Duke and A.P. Hill. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1859, and was appointed as the U.S. Consul to Messina, Italy. During his time in Italy he fought in the Italian War for Independence and was wounded in the fighting. He resigned his post in 1861 and served in London as the Secretary of the Southern Committee. Known as "Dick," he entered the Confederate Army in 1861, and was appointed an aide on the staff of fellow Kentuckian, General John C. Breckenridge, with whom he served with at the battle of Shiloh where he was wounded and captured. After he was exchanged he was commissioned captain on the staff of his older brother John Hunt Morgan. Soon afterwards he was commissioned major and assistant adjutant general and assigned to the staff of General A.P. Hill, serving with him in the Seven Days battles, at Second Manassas, Harper’s Ferry, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg, frequently being commended for gallantry on the battlefield. In early 1863, he was appointed colonel of the 14th Kentucky Cavalry, which he led during the great northern raid to Ohio in 1863 under his brother General John Hunt Morgan, and was captured on July 19th with General Basil Duke, near Buffington Island, Ohio. He was confined at the Ohio Penitentiary for eight months, and was then transferred to Fort Delaware Prison where he was confined until near the war's end in 1865. After the war he served as an steward at the Kentucky Lunatic Asylum. He married Ellen Key Howard, daughter of Charles Howard, and Elizabeth Key, whose uncle was Francis Scott Key, the author of the "The Star Spangled Banner," which became America's national anthem.

Autograph Letter Signed

Sparta, [Tenn.], May 31st, 1863

Major,

Has anything been done in regard to my case submitted to Genl. Wheeler some days since. I am still here awaiting the result of this affair & hope it may be result some way soon that I may be doing something. Any information you can give me in regard to it will be fully appreciated.

I am Major,
Very Respt. Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
R.C. Morgan

[to] Maj. E.S. Burford
A.A. Genl.
Wheeler's Corps.

Docket on the reverse:

Sparta, May 31st/63
R.C. Morgan

Desires information concerning case submitted to Genl. Wheeler

The recipient of this document was Major E. Spruel Burford. He served on the staff of General Joseph Wheeler, 1862-64. He was wounded in action on January 4, 1863, while General Wheeler's cavalry corps was in action in Tennessee.

Light age toning and wear. Neatly written. Very fine condition. Extremely desirable Confederate cavalry officer and the brother of the legendary Confederate cavalry commander, General John Hunt Morgan. RARE!

General "Fighting" Joe Wheeler needs no introduction here. He was one of the Confederacy's finest cavalry commanders!