^#1978 ^Lot 2039 Virginia Infantry

War-dated ALS signed “Newt,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 10, December 10, 1861. Letter, written from “Camps near Centerville, Va.,” to Ellen. In part (with spelling and grammar retained): “The weather is very pleasant we have three…of the prettiest days I ever saw in December and if the Yankees don’t pay us a visit now I can’t tell when they will get another good chance. We have been expecting them every day and have got everything in readiness to receive them with ‘welcum hands and hospitle graves.’ We have all our entrenchments finished and our masked batteries fixed…We had a little excitement yesterday seeing two of the Louisiana Tigers that they were placed on their knees their hands & feet tied behind them to a stake blindfolded and twenty four men shot (twelve at each) and they were killed almost instantly. I did not go to see the sight the crime was for trying to kill an officer and desertion.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, some creasing, and uniform toning.

The soldier who penned this letter was Squier Newton Bosworth (1841–1922) Co. F of the 31st Virginia Infantry, a man well-known for his exquisitely detailed letters. The Louisiana Tigers were a volunteer company comprised primarily of foreign-born Irish Americans from the New Orleans's waterfront areas, serving as part of Major. Wheat's 1st Special Battalion, Louisiana Volunteer Infantry. In society, the Irish and the dockworkers were considered the lowest, less valuable than slaves. In the army, they were undisciplined and unruly, constantly fighting and greatly feared. Colonel Richard Taylor, son of Zachary Taylor, was promoted to brigadier general and charged with getting the Tigers under control.

On October 28, a gang of drunken Tiger Zouaves led by privates Dennis Corcoran and Michael O'Brien attacked the brig in an effort to free fellow Tiger John Travers, who was under arrest on murder charges. Besides disarming and knocking a guard to the ground, one of the Zouaves struck Colonel Harry T. Hayes, commander of the 7th Louisiana. Soldiers from the brigade quickly put down the riot and the two instigating privates were arrested. Charged with mutiny, Corcoran and O'Brien were tried, found guilty and court-martialed. Sentenced to death, their highly publicized execution was set for December 6, 1861 at 10:00 a.m. Ewell's entire division, the press, and the curious watched as the convicted men were led to the stakes rising from the ground, next to two grave sites and two coffins. The men's hands were bound behind their back and they were forced to kneel, backs against the post as a priest prepared the men to meet their demise. Colonel Kelly of the 9th Louisiana signaled the priest away, the culprits blindfolded and the firing squad of 24 Tiger Rifles shot and killed their fellow Tigers, the first executions of the Confederate Army. For the Tigers and the army, seeing the execution had the desired effect. Recently, the Smithsonian forensic team excavated the site to learn more about the soldier’s uniforms, in turn verifying that the executions describe is this letter took place. Historically important firsthand account from a soldier who witnessed the event.