4th Virginia Cavalry Appeal to the ‘Ladies of Hanover”

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

Autograph Letter Signed, “Son of the South” 3-1/2p. octavo, August 23, no year, addressed “To the ladies of Hanover”, and reads “Taking into consideration the mighty national crisis that now pends over the Confederate States when not only our lives and fortunes are at stake but the glorious heritage left us by teh gallant sires of seventy-six, we had hoped that every son of the sunny South wold nobly spring to her assistance to drive back teh accursed invader from the hallowed sail of Virginia, we had proudly boasted that when the folds of our noble banner were flung to a Southern brieze every bosom would be bared to farm a phalanx around it which the reckless arm of the daring Usurper could never penetrate, but with a crimson cheek and flashing eye we must acknowledge our error. Knowing the unutterable scorn with which the fair daughters of Virginia are warnt to treat cowardice in its every form and wherever met with we feel fully assured that the proposition which we now, with all due respect to the nicer feelings of your sex, most respectfully propose, will meet with your unqualified approbation: Being aware of the unmanly if not cowardly manner in which one among you, Mr. Robert Carter, has acted as representatives of many of the Confederate soldiers do propose that the fair ladies of Hanover present him with such an apparel from the lady’s wardrobe as best suits his character if not his name. We have taken this step after due consideration for two urgent reasons; first, not through any personal malice to the gentleman in question, but to prove to the world that the gallant south breeds no traitors nor will its evening Zephirs echo to teh thrilling whoop of the coward; second, not that we wish any addition to our ranks and more especially such soldiers as we are now led to believe he would make, tried and true is our gallant band though few our numbers and all we ask of nature or of man is a sight of the dastard foe and in thunder tones the thrilling order to ‘charge’ A word addressed to T.G. Othello car of Capt. Wickam will duly reach a Son of the South.” VG.

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