Confederate general (1825–1864) who served as a field officer at the first Battle of Bull Run. Pursued by cavalry and militia, he was finally captured near New Lisbon, Ohio, on July 26, 1863, after most of his command had been taken prisoner. Confined in the Ohio State Penitentiary, he escaped on November 26. Placed in command in East Tennessee and southwestern Virginia in the following year, he was surprised and killed at Greeneville, Tennessee, on September 4, 1864. Rare war-dated manuscript DS, signed “Jno H. Morgan, Col Comd Brig,” one page, 7.25 x 10, September 20, 1862. Pass issued to Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell reads, in full: “Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell, the Assistant Adjutant General of my Brigade being about to proceed to Richmond, Va., on duty connected with my command. This is to request that all authorities both military & civil will give him every aid and assistance in furtherance of his object.” A short note written later by Grenfell is penned underneath to Colonel Freemantle reads, “I have much pleasure in sending you John H. Morgan’s autograph. Sincerely, G. St. Leger Grenfell, Colonel & Inspector General Commanding, Army of Tennessee.” Two pencil notations to document, most likely in Freemantle’s hand reads, “Killed in Tennessee 1864,” and “Now a convict in Dry Tortugas 1865.” An endorsement is written through the text of the document and reads, “Transportation furnd in kind to Chattanooga.” Document is also docketed on the reverse, “Transportation furnished in Kenn to Knoxville, Tenn. W. D. Lappe, Trans Agt C.S.A.” Double matted and framed, so both sides may be viewed, with a portrait of Morgan and a descriptive plaque to an overall size of 25 x 21. In very good condition, with scattered toning and soiling, and aforementioned endorsement through text and pencil notations. Accompanied by a copy of Colonel Grenfell’s Wars which explains why Morgan sent him to Richmond.
In 1862, Morgan of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, operated under Bragg's command and was actively seeking independence from his authority, employing Colonial Grenfell to intercede for him with the Confederate War Department. Grenfell was an English mercenary and an ex-consular official who Lee had attached to Morgan as an assistant adjutant general. Morgan issued a pass for Grenfell to go to Richmond, using his diplomatic skills to secure an independent command and $250,000 to purchase supplies. The British soldier of fortune achieved both and more, also acquiring any rations not available through Bragg's own stores. In December 1862 Morgan was promoted to brigadier general and Grenfell became "frustrated with the independency of Colonel Morgan's Kentucky dragoons," parting company with Morgan to serve as General Wheeler's Inspector General of Cavalry of the Army of Tennessee. On March 23, 1863, he met Colonel Freemantle, visiting the Army of Tennessee while on leave from his English unit, The Coldstream Guards.
In 1864, Grenfell resigned from the Confederacy, but was arrested for taking part in a failed attempt to establish a Northwestern Confederacy. At his 1865 court martial, he was sentenced to death for his role in the Copperhead Conspiracy but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Confined at Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas, Florida, Grenfell and three other prisoners escaped by boat during a storm and were never heard from again. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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