Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
An intriguing exchange of letters between Confederate General Nathan "Shanks" Evans and Loudoun County attorney and slave owner attorney, Matthew Harrison (1822-1875). An apparent dispute between Evans and Harrison (in which Harrison got the CSA Secretary of War involved) dissolved into Evans' accusing Harrison with disloyalty by interfering in the general's business. Following his celebrated success at First Bull Run, General Evans was placed in command of the critical Northern Virginia region surrounding Leesburg. His position was not an envious one. Leesburg and her citizens had many ties to family and friends living to the north in Maryland and elsewhere. When visiting the region civilians came and went at their own discretion and where not concerned with local military protocol. To keep a handle on the activity, Evans jailed some and questioned others. His actions, even though correct under military law, angered some including Attorney Harrison. As a consequence, Evans was lambasted by Harrison to top Confederate authorities as the following letters reveal. Both letters are in Attorney Harrison's hand and are written to Lt. Col. Charles B. Tebbs, of the 8th Virginia Infantry, with the original transmittal cover, outlining the dispute between "Shanks" Evans and Harrison. The cover letter, 2pp., 8vo., "Richmond, Va., Dec. 19, 1861" read, in small part: "…I have been intending to send you a copy of the correspondence between [Genl.] Evans & myself and I avail myself of the opportunity of Maj. Fairfax's going to Centreville…[it] will probably annoy you & the officers of the 8th [Virginia]…I reported Evans' conduct to the Secty of War. He [Evans] received a letter from the War Department on the 20th November…he wont allude to the letter from the Secretary, but tries to change the issue with me by writing an indirect letter to me about my having acted as counsel for the prisoners confined in jail. His whole conduct was as I characterized it [is] stupidly malicious…I would like [possibly Maj. Thomas Green] Peyton [15th Virginia] to see the correspondence as he would enjoy it…". Included here is Harrison's, 4pp. 8vo., copy of the anger exchange, reading, in part: "Headquarters 7th Brigade, Leesburg, Va., Nov. 20, 1861. Sir, I am directed by the general Comdg. this Brigade to say that he understands you are interfering with the prisoners confined by his orders in the jail of Loudon County and that regarding such interference as an act of disloyalty to the Confederate States a repetition of the offense will be punished as such. Very Respectfully…A. L. Evans a. a. Genl. Above is a copy of a letter…endorsed 'official' and handed me by Elijah V. White [Evans' aide who would become commander of the 35th Virginia Cavalry] who was told & who communicated to me 'that no answer would be received.' The following is a copy of my reply. Leesburg, [Va.], Nov. 21, 1861. Sir, Your letter of the 20th inst. was handed to me today by Mr. Elijah V. White and I have to say…that the charge that I have interfered in any illegal, improper or disloyal manner with prisoners confined by your order…is false and had no shadow of foundation, but in the malicious stupidity of its author…I have acted in counsel when requested to do so for…my fellow citizens as I have believed to be peaceable, loyal men unlawfully detained in custody and have endeavored to aid them in their vindication…of their constitutional rights…rights which you have disregarded and trampled upon…I shall continue…to act whenever the abuse of power on the part of those clothed with their 'brief authority' shall render such action necessary or proper. Your threat 'that regarding such interference as an act of disloyalty to the Confederate States'…is but contemptible gasconade and any effort to carry it into execution will be met as it deserves…I know your rights and shall respect them. I know my own and those of my fellow citizens and shall maintain them and before the 'majesty of the law' you may soon be taught that even 'your majesty' much bow…the letter…was sealed up and placed in the hands of Lieut. Geo. A. Baxter who was ignorant of the contents with a request that he would hand the same to Genl. Evans…the original letter was…endorsed…Hd. Qrs., 7th Brigade, Leesburg, Va., Nov. 23, 1861. The General Comdg. directs me to return this letter to its author. He regards him as too contemptible for notice. Respectfully, A. L. Evans a. a. genl…". In reality, it appears, Evans was abusive of his power. In fact ,later in the war he was accused of drunkenness and of being abusive to his superiors. He was reportedly drunk during the battle of Ball's Bluff and was not even on the battlefield during the engagement. It seems, from this exchange of letters, that Evans blindly and illegally imprisoned innocent Leesburg citizens because of a hugh ego and most certainly overstepped his authority because at Governor Letcher's behest Evans was relieved of duty in early December, 1861 and replaced by Gen. D. H. Hill. Perhaps Evans accused Harrison of interference in order to cover up his errant actions making these letters a great research project to determine who was right. Both near fine.
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