July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
Copy book measuring 15.5” x 9.5” with cover bearing manuscript label “Letter Book R.H. Riddick, Asst Adj Genl” Book contains manuscript copies of letters and orders sent by Riddick or his subordinates while he was serving as assistant adjutant general in the Department of North Carolina and the southern coast defenses of North Carolina. Book contains page 3 through page 210 (pages 1 and 2 missing) covering the periods of August 1861 through March of 1862. Also contained in the book (pages 215 through 218) are entries covering March/April 1863 issued by other officers. The spine is lacking and pages loose. The entries for this volume regard early Civil War operations in North Carolina and detail supplies, postings, personnel, equipment, elections of company and regimental officers, planning, and camp operations. Interesting entries include; September 28, 1861: Arresting persons for treason against the Confederate States, September 30, 1861: Defenses of Fort Macon, October 3, 1861: “Young Yankee School Mistress” returning north, October 8, 1861: Appoint of a regimental chaplain, October 17, 1861: Muster of Cherokee Indians into Confederate service, October 24, 1861: Information of Invading army to New Bern, January 6, 1862: Documentation of state service vs. Confederate service, January 10, 1862: Redeployment of exchanged Confederate prisoners, January 14,1862: Shipment of 1000 pounds of cannon powder, January 18, 1862: Investigation of CS officers re: citizen complaints, January 20, 1862: Deserter giving up pistol, January 21, 1862: Request for muskets with 1000 flintlock muskets available, January 21, 1862: Shipment of 2500 pounds of gunpowder, January 23, 1862: Receipt for 600 muskets and 20,000 ball cartridges, January 25, 1862 Receipt of 180 altered muskets and 520 flintlock muskets, January 25, 1862: Transfer of 10 cavalry troopers to the Confederate States Navy, March 13, 1862: Prevention of cotton falling into hands of enemy, and March 17, 1862: Orders to proceed to Goldsboro, NC with troops under arms. Richard H. Riddick (1825-1862) was born in North Carolina and lost his father at an early age and was subsequently raised by his uncle. Richard H. Riddick served in a North Carolina regiment during the Mexican War. After the Mexican War, he was appointed clerk in the Department of the Interior and in 1855, he was appointed a lieutenant in the 1st Regiment U.S. Cavalry until his resignation to join the North Carolina state troops for the Confederacy. In June of 1861 Riddick was appointed lieutenant. Colonel and assistant adjutant general to Major General R. C Gatlin commanding the southern coast defenses of North Carolina. On July 1, 1861 he was promoted to Colonel and Adjutant General for the State of North Carolina. On September 2, 1861 he was given the rank of Major and assistant adjutant general on the staff of General R. C Gatlin. Riddick was appointed and commissioned Colonel of the 34th North Carolina Infantry in April of 1862 and while participating in the battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862 was wounded. Not fully recovered from his wounds he rejoined his regiment and was again wounded at the battle of Ox Hill, Virginia on September 1, 1862. When his men rushed to his aid after his wounding Riddick said, “go, I am shot but not conquered”. He died of these wounds on September 7, 1862.
Condition: (Very Good).
Item Dimensions: 15 -1/2" L.