2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
The Confederate soldier's 2pp. note, 8" x 5", was written by Wyatt Moseley Elliott enlisted as a Captain, 4/19/1861 and commanded the 25th Virginia Battalion, otherwise known as the "Richmond City Battalion." This battalion was organized on 15 August 1862 for service in and around Richmond by the authority of the Confederate Secretary of War, George W. Randolph. Datelined Richmond, May 4th 1863, 1-1/4 o'clock p.m. In full, "Sir, I send this note by the hand of Mr. W. O. Taylor. I have received no message from you. You will retain the position you now hold. I have ordered two companies placed at my disposal in aid of your force on the plank road to take position at the point at which you yesterday left companies A & C whose duty will be to dispute the passage of the plank road and also to be summoned to your aid in case of necessity. I will be out on the road this evening in person in time to give orders to the two companies mentioned with reference to cooperation with you. If you have anything to communicate, send by Mr. Taylor in reply - W. M. Elliott, Maj. Commanding 25th Va. Battalion. The significance of this note is that it was written during the Battle of Chancellorsville just as the tide was turning against Hooker's Army of the Potomac who were being pressed by McLaws and Early to push Sedgwick's men back across the Rappahannock. Major Elliott's placement of troops north of Richmond on the Hanover Plank Road was precautionary, not knowing the direction Sedgwick's army intended to take after crossing the Rappahannock and overrunning the Confederate defenses at Fredericksburg the previous day.
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