Military officer (1819–1861) who served in the U.S. Army before becoming a Confederate major general at the outbreak of the Civil War. Leading a retreat following the Battle of Rich Mountain, Garnett was shot and killed on July 13, 1861, becoming the first general to die in the conflict. Scarce war-dated manuscript DS, signed “R. S. Garnett,” one lightly lined page, 7.75 x 10, May 28, 1861. Garnett signs Special Order No. 127, which reads, in full: “The commanding officer of the Cavalry Camp at Ashland will select the four companies of his command best prepared for active service in the field & prepare them to move by railroad to Manassas Junction. Two of these companies will take the car on Wednesday at such hour & place as the Railroad Officer may appoint with the Q.M. Dept. & will be followed on the next day by the two remaining companies. The four companies will be placed under the command of Maj. Julien Harrison, Va. Vols., who will report to Brig. Genl. Bonham, on their arrival at Manassas Junction. They will be provided with at least one day’s cooked rations for the journey. By order of Maj. Gen’l Lee….” The attack on Fort Sumter, marking the official beginning of the Civil War, took place a month earlier, on April 12; Garnett was killed less than two months after signing this order. Faint show-through of ink docket on reverse, otherwise very fine, fresh condition. An outstanding example of a notable Civil War rarity! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
