1862 Civil War Letter — Maj Bradford — Raising Company for 13th Virginia Cavalry

Description

Major Edmond Bradford wrote this March 27, 1862, letter from Norfolk, Virginia, where he was mustering officer for Confederate General Benjamin Huger’s Division. He writes to a “Cap BW Belchers,” though this is most certainly Captain Benjamin W. Belsches of the Sussex Light Dragoons, which became Company C of the 5th Virginia Cavalry. In the letter Major Bradford recommends to Belsches a method of retaining recruits on the rolls until the required number of men were enrolled to form a new cavalry company. He opens by advising Belsches to “employ a Dr to examine the men” for acceptance into the cavalry. He points out that “the principle cause of rejection in cavalry is rupture,” meaning hernia. He then advises:
If there are not quite 72 men present you could muster those present and keep the Muster Rolls open for a few days until the Captain obtains the requisite number and date the Muster Roll on the day you muster in the last men. If the men have been enrolled they are bound to the Confederate States and cannot be taken into the Militia until the Company is broken up. If the men are on duty you can draw rations for them.
The 5th Virginia Cavalry was mustered out three months later, with seven of the companies becoming the nucleus of the new 13th Virginia Cavalry. This regiment served in most of the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia through the remainder of the war. Belsches was appointed major. He resigned in February 1863, however, but was again commissioned into Company A, 4th Battalion Virginia Reserves (Emporia Reserve Company) in April 1864. Comparatively little was found in research about Major Edmond Bradford.
The letter was written on two pages of half a letter sheet measuring about 4 3/4” x 7 1/2”. It is in very good condition with light foxing and toning. Creased at the original folds. The letter’s transcript follows:
Norfolk March 27th 1862
Capt
If Dr Pringle should not arrive in time to examine the men of Capt Bell’s Company, I should think you could employ a Dr to examine the men. The principal cause of rejection in cavalry is rupture. The examination is not very critical. If there are not quite 72 men present you could muster those present and keep the Muster Rolls open for a few days until the Captain obtains the requisite number and date the Muster Roll on the day you muster in the last men. If the men have been enrolled they are bound to the Confederate States and cannot be taken into the Militia until the Company is broken up. If the men are on duty you can draw rations for them.
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servt
Edmd Bradford
Maj. & Act. Insp. Gnl.
To Cap BW Belches
Comdg Cavalry
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