Lot 985

ALPHEUS BAKER

Previous image preload Next image preload

ALPHEUS BAKER

Estimate: $400 - $500

Current Bid: $200

(2 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

ALPHEUS BAKER
(1828-1891) Confederate brigadier general, captured at New Madrid, severely wounded at Champion's Hill during the Vicksburg campaign, and fought during the Atlanta and Carolina campaigns. Good association and very interesting content war-date A.L.S., 2pp. large folio, Demopolis, AL, Feb. 24, 1864, to Alabama governor THOMAS H. WATTS (1819-1892). Baker raises the alarm in regards to the burgeoning problem of desertion among the Confederate ranks, in large part: ‘I took the liberty yesterday to telegraph you in respect to twelve deserters from my Regiment. Last night five others deserted. From the character of these men I as well as the generals commanding apprehend the most disastrous consequences if this effort is not frustrated & these who have been evidently chosen to make the experiment are not brought back to justice. At a time when you are striving to arouse the citizens and gloriously pledging yourself to take the field in person it is particularly disheartening to see the veteran soldier turn his back & abandon his flag. If I thought it would stop here I would regard it as only the loss of 17 men but it is only the beginning. It can however be checked by making sufficient effort & if these men can be promptly caught & made examples of it will be... a victory. If they succeed in getting away it will be worse for us than a battle lost. Do not think that I attach too much importance to this matter. I have had three long years of experience with the temper and designs of our soldiers & I know this is not the individual undertaking of these men but the result of a plan which is now being eagerly watched by the rest. I gave you in the telegram the names of the men (8) who live in Coffee Co. It is thought they will try to cross the Ala. river at lower peach tree or at old Ft. Claiborne... If you can in time guard the ferries on the Ala. River they may be caught there…' Baker goes on to name an additional nine deserters from DeKalb County, identifying one as a preacher, and continues: ‘… I can do nothing myself, Govr. My Regt. has hitherto been distinguished for its good discipline. I have done all that I can to preserve it. I fear it is now on the brink of destruction. I appeal to you, Govr., to assist us in this important matter by every means in your power. Gen. [Abraham] Buford orders me to spare no expense or effort… We have crossed the Tombigbee [River] on our way west. The report of Mississippi desertions on the late retreat is exaggerated. Gen. [William W.] Loring says it will not exceed 200 in his Division.' Baker signs boldly in black ink at the conclusion. Shows original mailing folds with minor splits thereto at the edges, shows small areas of rodent damage at center and at the top and bottom edges, with some soiling throughout, otherwise in very good condition overall.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be added to all invoices. Shipments are sent via FEDEX, USPS Express, USPS International Priority, and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Shipments will only be sent to the registered bidder address, re-routing shipments is not permitted. All shipments require a direct signature, no exceptions. Shipping to certain countries is extremely expensive and will be invoiced according to dimensional weight as required! By law the full value is required by customs for international shipments. Please inquire before bidding! International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000