Autograph letter signed by William Hazzard Wigg. Alexandria, Virginia, 21 May 1865. 3 pages, 4to. 

An unusual and fascinating letter written by Federal employee, William Hazzard Wigg, to his relative, Lt. Charles J.C. Hutson. Lt. Hutson was a Confederate soldier in the 1st South Carolina Infantry who was being held as a prisoner-of-war on Johnson's Island. This exchange, sent at the end of the war on the eve of Hutson's release from prison, exemplifies the "brother versus brother" nature of the Civil War that saw families with loved ones on both sides. 

William Hazzard Wigg (1809-1875) was a South Carolina native who worked in the District of Columbia before and during the Civil War as a government worker. His first wife, Margaret Euphemia Patterson (1809-1848), was the sister of US Admiral Thomas Holdup Stevens, Jr., who served in the Blockading Squadrons and took part in the operations against Mobile. Together, Wigg and Patterson had at least three children, including Samuel Patterson Wigg (1842-1862) who fought for the Confederacy, serving as a Corporal in Company H of the 1st South Carolina Infantry. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). 

Wigg is sometimes referenced as Captain of Major, though he does not appear to have served in the military. Clearly the Civil War tested his loyalty, and he may have clandestinely aided the Southern cause. Period newspaper notices indicate Wigg was frequently harassed and arrested by military authorities and he was the subject of derision by loyalists who knew of his southern heritage and family connections. Wing was, however, still working for the Internal Revenue Service as late as 1870. 

The recipient of this letter was Wigg's relative, Charles Jones Colcock Hutson (1842-1902), a South Carolina relative (through Colonel Wigg's wife, Esther Hutson Wigg).  Hutson served in the same Company as Wigg's son and also as the Adjutant of the regiment. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Farm, Virginia, on 6 April 1864 and sent to Johnson's Island on 17 April. He was released shortly after receiving this letter on 6 June 1864. 

Addressed to Hutson at Johnson's Island Block 3, Room 18. Wigg addresses his "dear young relative," He goes on to write: "The restriction to my correspondence with rebels having been removed by the canceling of my prohibitive ban(?)...I learn that...the prisoners at your prison have been generally determined to take the oath and take their discharge. Poor fellows. I sympathize with them, one and all, and cannot think otherwise than they have acted wisely."

Clearly deeply sympathetic to their current state of affairs, Wigg continues: "He states also that no transportation will be furnished them but they must get home the best way they can. I consider yourself, Col. George W.C. Miller, & Lieut. Crawford all from poor, lost and subjugated South Carolina under my special protection & therefore, to enable you three to get here on your way home, I enclose you fifty dollars - all I have at this moment to share. And when you reach here (on landing at the wharf, enquire for No. 9, South Fairfax Street), I will accommodate you as best I may & will provide you with the means of going on." 

The post script contains a well-placed warning: "If you come here, you must take care to provide yourself with all of the right kind of papers, else you will fall under the tender care of our Provost Marshal who has but a single opinion of all rebels & the method of their treatment...report before you say a word to any living human being, or even carrying to kick a dog out of your path." 

A fascinating letter. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

Heavy old folds.