| Summary: | During the Civil War, Moore served as a colonel of the 11th Alabama Infantry Regiment. In the letter he describes the First Battle of Manassas (also known as the First Battle of Bull Run); though his regiment did not arrive in time to participate in the fight, they are now encamped on the battlefield: "The dead lie thick on the ground at no great distance from us...I counted many dead bodies on yesterday - 16 in one group & 6 horses by them & hundreds if not thousands all around for miles - It was a great battle - the greatest perhaps ever fought in America - and we gained a glorious victory." He mentions that the Confederate victory was a surprise to the Union forces; according to rumors, the "Lincolnites were confident of success" and had made plans to invade Richmond after the battle: "Among the statements I heard yesterday was one that a wagon was found filled with handcuffs - These were intended, it is said, for the prominent officers & the members of Congress - who were to be carried in triumph, I suppose to Washington...after being taken prisoners."
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