AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TO GENERAL GIDEON J. PILLOW, FROM CAPT. J.L. WHITE OF WHITE HALL, ABBE[VILLE] DISTRICT S.C., AND LIEUT. WILLIAM JAY, 29 APRIL 1863, CONCERNING EFFORTS TO ROUND UP ABSENTEES FROM THE CONFEDERATE ARMY AFTER THE BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO

Single lined leaf, 8" x 12." Written in ink manuscript on recto; docketed on verso, adding names and addresses of Captain White and Lieutenant Jay. Signed in ink, "J.L. White Capt. Co. H 19th SC Regt."; and "Wm Jay Lieut Co H 19th SC Regt." Browned, Very Good.

The Letter reflects Pillow's demotion to recruiting assignments after his dismal performance in battle in 1862 and early 1863. "According to Who Was Who in the Civil War, Gideon Johnson Pillow was one of the most reprehensible men ever to wear the three stars and wreath of a Confederate general. It was reported that during the January 2, 1863 Battle of Stones River, Pillow hid behind a (truncated) tree instead of leading his men into the fray" [American Battlefield Trust online article on Pillow]. Pillow's military career never recovered. "Removed from combat duty, he worked mainly in recruiting assignments through the remainder of the war" [Wikipedia article on Pillow].
This Letter reads: "General,
"I and Lieut Jay being from the same state and each of us officers in your Bureau, concluded on our return to South Carolina to act in concert with each other and now submit this our report jointly. We have traveled a considerable scope of country been busily engaged, made strenuous exertions and sent back to the army every absentee that we knew or heard of, with the exception of some few men that were seriously wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro who are unable to return to camp. We have caused these men to appear before C.S. Surgeons and their furloughs have been extended. We have not as yet seen or heard of any arms the property of the government. We have gathered up three conscripts viz
"John C. Brooks, adjutant to Co. H 19th SC Regt April 7th 1863.
"D. L. Mathis " " " " " " 10th "
"B. Brown " " Co. G " " " 10th "
"Lieut Jay carried the abovementioned conscripts to camp last week together with others that had been placed in his charge by Recruiting officers and had returned having delivered them safe at Camp. Genl we desire as this report is small to bring to your notice the fact that nearly all of the conscripts from this State have been Enrolled and are in camps of Instruction. We have visited the instruction camp and expect to do so again whenever it is probably that we can get any conscripts assigned to the Army of Tennessee. (Inventory #: 37591)