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(CIVIL WAR--WEST VIRGINIA.) Powell, William H. 5 cavalry dispatches in pursuit of Jubal Early through the Shenandoah.
(CIVIL WAR--WEST VIRGINIA.) Powell, William H. 5 cavalry dispatches in pursuit of Jubal Early through the Shenandoah. Autograph Letters Signed written in pencil on 5 irregular slips, various sizes, and addressed variously to Gen. W.W. Averell, Capt. H. Harrison, and Capt. W. Rumsey; letters are all very legible and in strong condition, with some soiling on address panels. Stephensburg, WV, 21 to 29 July 1864
- Notes: William H. Powell (1825-1904) served as colonel of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, representing the Union''s newest state. When these letters were written, he was also commanding an entire brigade of cavalry as part of General David Hunter''s campaign through the Shenandoah Valley in pursuit of Jubal Early''s elusive Confederate cavalry. These five dispatches are addressed to General William W. Averell and his staff, and provide detailed reports on Confederate movements. His 21 July letter addressed to Averell reads "On my arrival here I found about 30 Reb scouts who left in a hurry . . . The force you thrashed so effectually yesterday have gone to Strausburg . . . I will keep wide awake tonight. You can rest easy. Will keep you advised during the night." The next day he wrote that "Genl Early and Breckenridge passed through [Middle Town] yesterday morning in heavy force with a wagon train of at least 600 wagons . . . The command is almost entirely out of ammunition." The other three letters are distillations of picket deployments and other bits of intelligence. These letters are an important source on an important campaign.
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