Partial autograph draft letter with edits, addressed to Brevt. Brig. General Ludlow. [Virginia?], [circa July 1865?]. 1 page, 4to. 

A fascinating draft letter with tantalizing details. Written to Brvt. Brig. General William Ludlow (1843-1901), who was commanding the "Peninsula District." Given some context and other example letters of petitions written to Ludlow after the war, it was likely in Virginia. 

In this partial letter, evidently a draft by the many edits throughout, the letter writer reports on the ongoing relations between the newly freed Black population and their former enslavers: "In a compliance with order Hd. Qtr. Peninsula Dst. dated July 20. 65 I have the honor to report the everything in this County is peacefull, that excitement about Negroes with some Planters and Asst. Supt. of Negroes Affair is ov[er] and everything quiet now. The Negroes keeping on their places. The election in this County was held yesterday in a very lawfully and respectfully way. No disturbances at all."

He continues with complaints of drought and widespread illness, with a supplication for allowances for local merchants to sell whiskey: "The corn crops suffer on account of no rain. Quite sickness prevails in this county and folks suffered for want of medicines. If it received your sacntion General, to let storekeepers sell Whiskey by order of Doctors for medicinal purpose I think it will relieve the people some of the sickness. For the relief will you sanction. Very much sickness prevails in this County now, and I would for the relief great and have medicines to be got, for that reason I would ask respectfully request you would issue a Order that Storekeepers, good reliable men, be allowed to sell liquor on Surgeons Certificate approved by Prov. Marshal. The people in this County by my observation..."

William Handy Ludlow (1821-1890) served throughout the Civil War and was brevetted brigadier general on 13 March 1865 for "Faithful and meritorious services,"  and was the agent for exchange of prisoners at Fort Monroe, Virginia. 

His son, also William Ludlow (1843-1901), attended the United States Military Academy and quickly entered into service after graduating in 1864. He served under General Hooker in the Atlanta Campaign and was on the staff of General Sherman during the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign. After the conclusion of hostilities, he continued his military service in engineering and scientific capacities, especially mapping during the 1874 Black Hills Expedition led by the 7th Cavalry. In 1898, he was appointed a brigadier general and served during the Siege of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. 

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