Beschreibung:

Roddey, Phillip D. (1826-1897). ALS, 2pp, 8 x 11.625 in., "Hd Quarters Dist[?] No Ala." August 30, 1863. Addressed to "Major Genl Wheeler." Paper with what appears to be a British watermark. In the letter, Roddey writes to then-major general Joseph Wheeler (1836-1906) about a special order, "No 65," received from him instructing Roddey to extend his picket line to Whitesburg. Roddey goes on to explain that compliance with this instruction will require him to remove troops from an important defensive position in the Bear Creek area. Roddey expresses his opinion that this move would be counterproductive to the Confederate cause in that region. He writes, "...it is my duty to suggest for your consideration, that the order may induce the necessity, of withdrawing my front from the vicinity of Bear creek. This step in my estimation should not be taken, in the absence of some further demonstration..." Roddey continues by explaining that due to the enemy's habitual approach from either Tuscumbia or Russellville, "Bear creek has always been considered the best line of defense of the Tennessee valley..." He also mentions previous orders from General Bragg concerning a "connect[ion]" between Roddey's troops and General Ruggles' in Mississippi, and an "express understanding" that they are to flank enemy troops based on the direction from which they approach. Roddey then emphasizes the limits of his resources, writing "I have only four regiments in my command, one of which (Col Forrest's) is not yet organized," and the importance of the Bear creek line as a "connecting link" between the departments of Generals Bragg and Johnston. Roddey ends his letter with a bold assertion that the defensive lines, as arranged before Wheeler's order, would be able to squelch any movement by the enemy from Corinth to the interior of Alabama, "...unless by an overpowering force." A steamboat captain on the Tennessee River, and the sheriff of Lawrence County before that, Phillip D. Roddey was uninterested in joining the Confederate cause until the fall of Fort Henry in February of 1862, which allowed Union gunboats to sail all the way to Florence, Alabama. With federal forces too close for Roddey to comfortably continue his trade, he decided to take action. Destroying his boat to keep it out of Union hands, he raised and led a cavalry company against Union forces at the Battle of Shiloh. Roddey and his company proved their usefulness time and again in defense of Alabama, causing superiors including General Braxton Bragg to remark on his tremendous abilities and promote him within the CSA, ultimately to brigadier general. By the end of 1862 Roddey was named commander of the District of Northern Alabama, with multiple regiments including the 5th and 4th Alabama Cavalry under his leadership. Roddey's ability to defend his native state was relentlessly tried by Union troops throughout the war, including Union Major General Grenville Dodge in 1863 (as a part of Abel D. Streight's raid through the state) and General James H. Wilson in 1865. Wilson's famous raid would bring an end to Roddey's role as Alabama's defender, specifically at the Battle of Selma, which ended in the capture of most of Roddey's command. Condition: Letter with horizontal and vertical creases, some ink smearing, light spots of discoloration, and (mostly) light wear to edges and corners (including a small hole to lower left edge and even smaller holes at lower right portion where horizontal and vertical creases meet).