Battle of Fort Donelson related hand drawn map with letter, recto, from Lewis Burwell Tabb (1841-1862), 14th Mississippi, dated Bowling Green, KY, Nov. 3, 1861. Tabb writes to his uncle, Rev. Thomas Tabb of Oktibbeha, MS: 

"We are in daily expectation of an attack on this place, the enemy having crossed Green River in three colums [sic] are said to be advancing, supposed strength thirty thousand. We are fully prepared to meet them but fear they will not come. Three hundred cavalry that have been impressed into Lincoln service made their escape and reached here last night say the whole regt. will desert if a favorable opportunity presents itself... Our regiment stands very high here owing to the ability of Col. Baldwin upon whom Gen Buckner has bestowed the highest praise. He is the only man that has never made a mistake or been reproved on the field, and although we dislike him very much yet all look to him with pride while on the field with thousands. Amid all the confusion and double quick movements we come out triumphant... The battery on which we have been at work is completed and a nicer piece of work can not be found. The guns are mounting today. We have five all in supporting distance of each other. I had the pleasure of employing my mechanical powers upon the magazine and if the enemy would gain possession it would be difficult to find it. I will send the outlines of the battery to give you an idea of it."

He goes on to describe his camp accommodations in great detail including how he has made a "French bedstead", wardrobe, and "a stool which I made while working at the fort which answers for rifles in wet weather and other times a writing desk, a washstand, and drying rack."  One sheet, 4 pages, front and back, each page 9 1/2 in x 7 3/4 in. 

Note: Private Lewis Burwell Tabb was the son of Henry W. Tabb and Sarah Kalb Cannon Tabb. In the 1860 census he is listed as a student, making his home in Lowndes, MS, and he enlisted in the 14th Infantry on June 8, 1861. Like the rest of his regiment, he was captured at the Battle of Fort Donelson (Feb. 11-16, 1862). Tabb was sent to prison in Chicago, where he died of unknown causes on April 15, 1862. Archives related to his cousins Private Thomas Tabb and Capt. William Henry Tabb, who also served in the 14th Mississippi and died during the war, are also included in this auction. 

Small holes at fold lines, foxing and toning. 

The Estates of Thomas Maxfield and Sara McIntyre Bahner, by descent in the family of Mollie Tabb Moore, cousin of Private Lewis Tabb.