AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED "A.J. TOUTANT," TO CONFEDERATE GENERAL SAMUEL COOPER, ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL, INQUIRING WHETHER, AS A MOUNTED OFFICER AND AIDE-DE-CAMP TO MAJOR GENERAL MANSFIELD LOVELL, HE IS ENTITLED TO CAVALRY PAY

Richmond Va., 1863. [4]pp, bifolium, folded to 9-3/4" x 8." Autograph letter signed by First Lieutenant Toutant, written on first page. Pages 2-3 are blank, docketed on final page. Very Good.

Alcee J. Toutant (1836-1905) became aide-de-camp to General Mansfield Lovell, who surrendered New Orleans to the Union and was blamed, probably unfairly, for the defeat. Toutant finished the war as aide-de-camp to his famous uncle, General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. Alcee's obituary reported that "Much of the strategy displayed by General Beauregard was the outgrowth of conferences between himself with his nephew."
Lieutenant Toutant explains (truncated) that, having been "appointed from civil life and being paid differently by the quarter masters, there being no law on the subject, I appeal to you to know, if as a mounted officer I am or not entitled to cavalry pay? As there are no orders regulating the pay of such appointments although many have been made, I take the liberty of laying the facts directly before you. Hoping to be favored with an answer, I remain Sir | Very resptly Your obt Ser't | A. J. Toutant | 1st Lt. & Aid de Camp to Major Genl. Lovell."
In a different hand, beneath and to the left of Toutant's signature, is written: "Send reply to care of Genl. G.T. Beauregard, Charleston, S.C." The docketing on the last page has Cooper's inscribed and signed response: "All aides de camp are entitled to cavalry pay as lieutenants. June 23/63, S Cooper, A & I G. (Inventory #: 37861)