A group of Civil War dated documents, ca. June 1863 - July 1864, relating to Georgia's executive and legislative efforts to alleviate poverty among soldiers' families in Bibb, Twiggs, and Campbell Counties, Georgia. The five documents consist of correspondence from Confederate quartermasters, Georgia county courts, and the office of Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown (1821-1894). Expected wear consistent with age including flattened folds, isolated foxing, toning, and loss, else near fine and very legible. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information about content and condition. The largest piece measures 7.25" x 9.5."

A poor crop yield in 1862, combined with underdeveloped and war-strained transportation systems, meant that many Confederates civilians lived in poverty by mid-war. In addition, Confederate forces requisitioned or "impressed" other scarce supplies. Governor Brown and the Georgia legislature passed a series of resolutions to help poor soldiers' families. State assistance was offered in the form of spun yarn--factory-prepared cotton yarn--to make clothing. In an interesting aside, much of the yarn produced in the Confederacy during the Civil War was made by convict laborers at state penitentiaries.

The April 15, 1863 resolution passed by the General Assembly of Georgia stated: "…the Governor is authorized to take a portion of the money, which has been set apart by law for the support of the indigent families of the soldiers of this State, to purchase spun yarn from the different Factories of the State, to be turned over to the Inferior Courts, to be distributed by them to such families of soldiers as are destitute of the means of supplying themselves, or their families, with clothing. Resolved further, That the Inferior Courts be required to notify his Excellency, the Governor, by the 15th day of June next, of the amount necessary for this purpose…"

The documents itemized below appear to be some of the responses to this survey, submitted by several Georgia counties, requesting a certain dollar equivalent or physical amount (in bunches) of spun or "Factory yarn."

Two of the five documents refer to Ira Roe Foster (1811-1885), who served as Quartermaster General of Georgia from May 1861 through June 1865. Georgia lacked basic supplies like socks, clothes, and blankets during the entire war. Foster held drives and boosted other appeals, but it was always insufficient. Consequently, private supply seizures for cents on the dollar were commonplace, further worsening the situation of civilians.

Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown's tenure from 1857 to 1865 covered the entire span of the Civil War. Although Brown had strongly advocated for secession in 1861, he resisted Confederate policy pertaining to inscription and impressment. By 1864, Brown called for the South’s surrender since most of Georgia lay in ruins after Sherman’s March to the Sea.

The lot includes, in chronological order, with original spelling and punctuation:

1. A 1p manuscript document signed by four Justices of the Inferior Court of Bibb County, and dated June 10, 1863. In part: "We the undersigned Justices of the Inferior Court do certify that It will require about 1200 Bunches of Cotton Yarn to Distribute among the Families of xxx Soldiers in Said County…" Docketed verso. 6.675" x 5.75."

Bibb County is located in central Georgia, with Macon as its principal city.

2. A 1p autograph letter signed by William E. Haskins, clerk in Campbellton, Georgia on June 15, 1863. In part: "We herewith enclose [for] you the number of Soldiers wives + Widows dependant on the Charity of the State for assistance in the distribution of Factory Yarns - in compliance with the Proclamation of the Govr…" Docketed verso. 9.125" x 7.5."

Campbellton was once the county seat of Campbell County in northwestern Georgia. Campbell County went bankrupt and became defunct by 1931; its territory was incorporated into surrounding counties.

3. A 1p autograph letter signed by J.A.R.S. Hanks, Assistant Quarter Master No. 54, issued from Atlanta, Georgia on June 18, 1863 on blue stationery with a pre-printed "State of Georgia, / Assistant Quarter Master's Office" letterhead. Regarding the "number of families" requiring state assistance in Campbell County.

4. A 1p partly handwritten and partly printed memorandum issued from the Executive Department at Milledgeville, Georgia on April 25, 1864 to the Justices of the Inferior Court of Twiggs County, alerting them that 22,832 Confederate dollars had been allotted for the "support of the families of indigent soldiers." The warrant permitted the withdrawal of $6,000 "or such part of that sum as you will now advance us upon the fund due the county under the act for the support of indigent widows and orphans, &c…" Docketed verso. 7.25" x 9.5."

Twiggs County is located in central Georgia almost immediately southeast of Macon.

5. A 1p autograph letter signed by J.A.R.S. Hanks, Assistant Quarter Master, issued from Atlanta, Georgia on July 6, 1864 on blue stationery with a pre-printed "State of Georgia, / Assistant Quarter Master's Office" letterhead. In part: "I have now on hand more than enough Yarns to supply the requisitions which have been made by the Counties. If the distribution is to stop here, it is proper I shall write to the Factories, which have faithfully supplied me, and advise them of the fact. Should you determine to make a Second distribution I beg to assure You it cannot be done without paying the market price for the Yarns…" Docketed verso. Minor loss to the upper left corner. 4.75" x 7.75."

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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