Confederate brigadier general (1812–1862) who was killed in action at the Battle of Mill Springs, making him the first Confederate general to die in the Western Theater. ALS signed “F. K. Zollicoffer,” one page, 6.5 x 4, January 18, 1862. Field directive to Captain Rutledge issued from his headquarters at Beech Grove. In full: “Will have four guns of his batter—two howitzers and two six pounders ready to march at 6 oclock this evening. Let the gun carriages and caissons each have two extra horses.” Affixed to a slightly larger sheet for reinforcement. Mounted, matted, and framed to an overall size of 17 x 16. Complete separations to intersecting folds (one vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature), heavy soiling and some dampstaining, and brushing to ink, otherwise very good condition. This letter dates to one day before the Battle of Mill Springs, in which Zollicoffer was killed in action; a collector’s pencil notation identifies it as his last letter.
