"...we broke up two Federal stations, killing about 100 Indians and Federals..."

RICHARD GANO’S BRIGADE AT CABIN CREEK, A GRAPHIC CONFEDERATE LETTER OF VICTORY

Autographed letter signed by John M. Davis while serving in Richard Gano's Brigade. Boggy Depot, Choctaw Nation, 6 October 1864. 2 pages, 8vo. Written on printed Confederate provisions abstract forms.

Composed just after the so-called Second Battle of Cabin Creek, wherein a federal supply train from Fort Scott, Kansas was found and captured just north of the Arkansas River by a group of Texas Cavalry units and Confederate Native American troops, working in concert under the leadership of Gano and Cherokee Indian Colonel Stand Watie (1806-1871). This feat was viewed as retribution for the Confederates' initial defeat two months earlier, at the first Battle of Cabin Creek and resulted in a tremendous morale boost for Rebel soldiers.

To his unnamed correspondent, Davis describes this successful engagement in great detail, providing important logistical details about this last major battle of the Civil War in Indian Territory:

"This Brigade is just off a heavy tour north of Arkansas River where we broke up two Federal stations, killing about 100 Indians and Federals, wounding a good many, taking 111 prisoners, destroying and bring[ing] off two million and a half property wagons, mules, and supplies generally."

While he makes no mention of his choice of stationery, Davis does address  the recycled envelope (now absent) and his lack of stamps: "I will frank this as I have no stamps...I use your old envelope as they are scarce in camp," citing the overwhelming destruction of personal property as a result of recent skirmishes. 

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