2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
War-date Confederate officer's letter, 1p. 8vo., written by Lt. William H. Lawrence, Co. F, 61st Virginia Vols., Staunton, Va., Oct. 21, 1862, reading, in part: "General Smith. Dr. Sir, Necessity compels me against my wishes to ask you to grant a furlough to private Timothy Hays for fifteen days. My reasons for asking this liberty…is I have several valuable negroes and a lot of hogs in Isles of Wight County just outside of our lines, or in other words between our lines and the enemy's…a note from my wife states that the enemy in passing through has been destroying everything they could lay hands on. I wish…[to] send the man and have my property…moved beyond the reach of the enemy. The people left behind being so timid my wife…cannot get them to move it…complying with this request you will confer a lasting favor on a helpless female…Lt. W. H. Lawrence Co. F, 61 Reg. Va. Vol. now under charge of Col. Davidson Com. at Staunton, Va." Unfortunately, died just days after writing this letter, on November 9, 1862 and is buried in Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton. Sympathizing with Lt. Lawrence Col. HENRY B. DAVIDSON forward this letter to General Smith, reading, in full: "Hd. Qrs. Valley Dist., Staunton, Va., Oct. 21, 1862. Forwarded and respectfully recommended a furlough for one man for the time within stated. H. B. Davidson, Col. Comdg." Whereas, General Smith did not with Major SAMUEL WICKLIFFE MELTON, adding, in part: "Richmond, Oct. 24, 1862…disapproved. Furlough are not granted except upon certificates of disability…Saml. W. Melton." Minor toning, else VG.
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