2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
A great early war-date Southern schoolmaster's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by William Verser, Burkeville, Va., May 13, 1861, to his son, Edward P. Verser who was then employed as a clerk in Farmville, Va., who eventually enlists in the same company as his brother Cicero, who is mentioned in this letter, but did not survive the war dying of disease at his home in 1864. The letter reads, in part: "…we are all in health…except your sister who [married Pvt. James C. Baughan, Co. C, 18th Va. Infantry, WIA Seven Pines, Va., June 1, 62] is much trouble[d] about Baughan who left 2 weeks or more & is stationed at the Fair Grounds, Richmond and has not been able to visit her since whilst others of the same company has. [Your brother] Cicero poor fellow, as young man, will have to stand up to it which I hope he will do faithfully, but your mother is in much trouble[d] about him. [He enlisted April 23, 1861, as private in Co. F, 18th Virginia, WIA/POW Pickett's Charge, Gettysburg. DOD Point Lookout, MD, 5/27/64.] The office [clerkship] that you occupy I presume exonerates you from military duty…I hope my dear son that you will be prompt in the discharge of every duty incumbent on you…for indeed this is a critical time an requires energy and promptitude in every public line of official duty. How long the war may last I cannot as yet imagine, although some flatter the idea that peace will be made without firing a gun, but I cannot think so. There will be some fighting and perhaps much before its ended. Your mother sent Cicero…something good to eat…marked to the care of Capt. [Richard A.] Booker [WIA Antietam, AWOL, 2/15/63. Dropped from rolls May 5, 63] his commdt. who we saw at the Junction…on his way to Farmville to see his family. [Richard Anderson Booker 1817-1904 is buried in Farmville.]…he stated that Circeo was then well and quite lively. We have moved to Baughan's and all living together…it [is] best for your mother & sister to always together and work their matters together as Baughan is off…I have a very pretty school which keeps me well employed…next Sunday is Whitsunday and you may…meet with Baughan for…he may come up then if not called further off before that time…as for peace…we should give the Northern abolitionist with Lyncoln at their head one good brushing before the matter closes, that they know better how to treat the Southern Democracy after this, otherwise they will be always be pecking at us, as they have been for many years…your affectionate father, Wm. Verser." Also included is the letter's very rare transmittal cover with Confederate provisional postal system use of U. S. postage stamp. Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861 and was admitted to the Confederacy on May 7th. This cover is postmarked, "Burkesville, Va. May 13". Both overall near fine.
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