William T Wofford documents

[lelliott19]

Need some help with this note from Lee in response to Longstreet's recommendation of William Tatum Wofford for promotion to Major General dated July 15, 1864:

Res forwarded as evidence(?) of merit of this worthy officer. He has since first taking command of his brigade always acted with boldness - judgement displaying great zeal & promptness in the execution(?) of his duties_ I wish I had a division in this army to which he Could be assigned.
RE Lee
Genl
(Words in blue supplied by @chellers @alan polk and @AndyHall Thanks guys!)

@Podad can you help?

 

[chellers]

I'm thinking out loud.

"evidence" is tough to confirm, but sounds good.

merit of this worthy officer

always acted with boldness (of) judgement (not sure about the "of") (agree that he misspelled judgment)

agree with you on execution

That's my two cents.

 

[alan polk]

Woo! Tough one!

Part of first sentence could be: Res(pectfully) forwarded as evidence aforesaid

 

[alan polk]

Just to play devil's advocate: "acted with boldness" could be "always active with it."

For full disclosure, I wear glasses

 

[AndyHall]

Yes, "worthy" officer.

The rest of the transcription looks correct to me.

 

[chellers]

'Tis a pleasure, Laura.

 

[lelliott19]

How bout this one @chellers @alan polk @AndyHall ?

Hdqrs: 16 Jan 1865

Resp forw'd I do not know what duty is designed for Gen Wofford . He is a brave & gallant officer & I regret to part with him. If the duty in which he is to engage is Consider-ed of more importance than with his brigade, I will make no objections.

R E Lee
____ ____
Word in blue supplied by @AndyHall & @LoyaltyOfDogs Thanks!

 

[AndyHall]

What duty is designed

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

How about "than with his brigade?" The word that precedes "his brigade" appears very similar to the "with" in line six.

 

[AndyHall]

Yes, "with his brigade."

 

[lelliott19]

Transcription of Longstreet's letter recommending Wofford for promotion to Maj Gen:

Near Petersburg, July 14, 1864
General S Cooper
Adjt and Insp General

General,

I respectfully recommend Brig General W T Wofford for promotion to the rank of Major General for conduct at the Battle of the Wilderness May 6th, 1864.

In the course of that action, I directed an attack to be made on the enemy's left by a portion of the corps under my command. Genl Wofford volunteered for the occasion and sought and obtained for his brigade the privilege of forming part of the flanking column. Much of the success attending the movement is due to General Wofford who was distinguished by the energy and rapidity of his attack and the skill and gallantry with which he handled his Brigade.

I desire to add that a wound rec'd by me on the same day has delayed until now this recommendation and being still unable to write, I beg the privilege of making it through my staff officer.

I have the honor to be General
with great respect yr most Ob Svt [thanks @AndyHall ]
J Longstreet
Lieut Genl
By G M Sorrel
Lt Col & AAGenl 1st Corps A N Vir

 

[AndyHall]

This is tougher.

I have the honor [to be General?]
with [great respect?] yr most Ob Svt [your most obedient servant]​

 

[Podad]

Laura,
I waited until I could look at this on a large screen. However, I am no help to you, but apparently others have come to your rescue on this.
Marvin

This is tougher.

I have the honor [to be General?]
with [great respect?] yr most Ob Svt [your most obedient servant]​

Agree, I think you broke the code on that one.

 

[lelliott19]

In Bill Arp from the Uncivil War to Date, 1861-1903, Mr. Arp had this to say about General Wofford:

And General Wofford was there too, and his speech was the speech of an Indian chief to the pale faces, and most every sentence began with "brothers," and he whipped a big sassy Spaniard by the name of Del Gardo for imposing on us little boys, and then went off to fight the Mexicans for imposing on Uncle Sam, and ever since he has been fighting somebody for imposing on somebody, and I think he had rather do it than not.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/arp/arp.html​