Civil War Letter — Col. Wm. F. Martin, 17th North Carolina re: Paroled Soldiers

Description

This letter was written in April 1863 by Colonel William F. Martin of the 17th North Carolina Volunteers to Robert Ould, who was the Confederate agent of exchange for prisoners of war. Colonel Martin writes to inquire about the status of sixteen of his men “who have been captured by the Enemy, and are now on parole.” He writes that he wrote to Ould previously, but had “not yet received the notification of their exchange.” The men are all indicated to have been captured near Hamilton, Plymouth, and Washington. The list of men follows:
Private James L. Hardison, Co. A, Jamesville, NC, March 2, 1863
Sergeant James A. Oden, Co. B, near Washington, NC, January 15, 1863
Corporal Nymphas O. Eborn, Co. B, near Washington, NC, January 15, 1863
Private William T. Boyd, Co. B, Near Plymouth, NC, November 4, 1862
Private John H. Modlin, Co. C, Washington, NC, September 6, 1862
Private John T. Niblet, Co. E, near Hamilton, NC, November 6, 1862
Private Levi Biggs, Co. G, near Plymouth, NC, October 28, 1862
Private John H. Sawyer, Co. G, near Plymouth, NC, October 28, 1862
Private John Freeman, Co. G, near Plymouth, NC, October 28, 1862 [died of disease 9/3/1863 at Greenville]
Private William Sweton, Co. G, near Washington, NC, September 6, 1862
Private George Jenkins, Col. H, near Hamilton, NC, November 4, 1862
Private Boyd Lucas, Co. H, near Plymouth, NC, October 28, 1862
Private Matthew Sleight, Co. H, near Plymouth, NC, January 4, 1863
Private Levy Troudy, Co. H, near Plymouth, NC, January 4, 1863
Private W. C. Gibbs, Co. K, Washington, NC, September 6, 1862
The 17th North Carolina was largely recruited from Pasquotank, Edgecombe, Hertford, Bertie, Currituck, and Beaufort Counties in the northeastern part of the state. The majority of the regiment was captured in 1861 at the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries, was exchanged, and after reorganization continued serving in North Carolina as part of General James G. Martin’s Brigade (Colonel Martin’s brother). It participated in the operations to recapture New Bern in 1864 before being transferred to the Virginia front, where it fought in the Bermuda Hundred campaign, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Bentonville, surrendering with the Army of Tennessee at Bennett Place.
The letter and list were written on two pages of a 4-page letter sheet measuring about 7” x 9 3/4”. It is docketed on a third page. Very good condition with light toning. The paper is of typical Confederate quality. Creased at the original folds. The text of the letter portion of Martin’s message follows:
Camp Near Kinston N.C.
April 25th 1863
Hon. Robt. Ould
Commissioner of Exchange
Richmond Va.
Sir
Herewith please find list of men, members of my Regiment, who have been captured by the Enemy, and are now on parole. I forwarded you a list some time ago, of which you acknowledged the receipt, and promised to have them exchanged, and notify me when the exchange was consummated. I have not yet received the notification of their exchange, and again enclose the list, with an additional number who have been captured since the last list was forwarded. Your immediate attention will be obliged.
Very Respectfully &c.
Wm. F. Martin
Col. Comdg. 17th Regiment
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