60th Virginia Soldier Writes of the Burning of Princeton and the Black Flag

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Autograph Letter Signed, Lt. Henry G. Cannon, Co. A, 60th Virginia Infantry, 4p. quarto, November 27, 1862, Princeton, Virginia. With excellent content this letter reads in part: "...Have you seen in the newspapers how the horrid Yankees politely requested us to leave the fertile valley of the Kanawha and the Union loving people that dwell therein - and how with equal politeness we did leave rather than quarrel about it? On my return from Richmond to rejoin my regiment I found the army of Western Va in retreat from the Valley and my own brigade occupying the mountain passes in this vicinity ...A winter in the mountain passes, where the snow covered peaks look upward to the sky may do very well for the poet, but is death on the soldier. I have been engaged on a General Court Martial for two weeks past and have had a quiet indoors time of it. Did you meet a polished curled and perfumed soldier at the Allegheny Springs last year named Jenifer Col. of Cavalry, neat as Antony in person, though not so gigantic in body or mind? He burned this village to the ground leaving only two houses standing. A vandalism, from which many people suffered, and which we are now...in thin cotton tents pitched upon the snow clad ground...Are the parlor knights as plentiful in Richmond now as formerly? Do the gold bar & gilded chevrons & stars glitter as brightly as ever on the peaceful streets of Richmond....Do any of the Skylarks and Johnny Hooks of this revolution ever visit you? Are you ever entertained by office warriors with their news of the mode of conducting campaigns; and told that the time has arrived to raise the Black Flag, provided only that they are not called upon to fight under it....Henry G. Cannon, Lt. 60th Va. Regt." Fine. The OR's list Cannon as a Brigade Inspector, Smith's Brigade, Wharton's Division, Army Valley District.

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