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The report was given as requested to be subject to the order of my children.
Etta A. Anderson
Woodbury, NJ Jan. 4, 1881
Dear Madam,
I can hardly tell you how disappointed I was at again finding my efforts to
procure Genl. Anderson's autograph fruitless. I desired so very much to add to my now
nearly complete (Major Genl.'s all complete but Genl. A's) collection of memorial
manuscripts an order officially signed, or an entire letter of his. I knew him to have been
one of the bravest & ablest of the C.S.A. Commanders. From the material I have
gathered I propose to publish a biographical work & for some reason I have never come
across anything from the pen of Genl. A. My collection of autograph letters & orders I
have had handsomely bound in six volumes two pages were inserted blank to which I
hoped sometime to attach manuscripts from your noble husband. Eventually I suppose
these volumes will become the property of some large historical library. Thus you can
see my manner of preserving my manuscripts & my purposes. I should dearly like to
have one of those original reports you have. They are just what I would prefer most not
only for my forthcoming book but also as a most fitting paper for my volumes of
autograph orders, etc. Could you not lone me one of them for this purpose that is the
paper to remain in this collection but as your property & subject to your order? It would
be most carefully preserved I assure you. Where ever I have found the friends or
relatives possessed of such papers they have readily complied, & I cannot see why
anyone should object to your forwarding me one of those reports under those conditions.
Several widows of deceased generals have given me their only official papers or letters
for insertion in this collection.
If you cannot & will not accede to this request then can you not send me an entire
letter of the general's although only signed "Patton," & send me for copying & insertion
the two reports you have, but the better way to send them is by registered letter? I will
take good care of them & return when I have copied, of course.
I thank you for your kind letter & kind wishes. I know they are meant. I have
ever been most kindly treated & aided by the ladies of the South.
Pardon this long letter but I wished you to understand my purposes.
If you can possibly, do say that I may retain one of the reports under the
conditions named.
Hoping to hear from you soon I am,
Your obt. svt.,
B. Perry
Mrs. Etta A. Anderson
[Below is a note that was written for Etta Anderson at the end of this letter from Belmont
Perry. The note was written by her youngest daughter Maggie.]
Mama,
Four cravats came this evening from Aunt Cara. They are like the one aunt Kate
got for Tabitha Christmas. Lily got $1.00 from Halbridge this evening for the organ.
Your baby,
Maggie
Transcribed by Christopher A. Baker, University of Florida, 2008.
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