CONFEDERATE LAUREL BRIGADE CAVALRY OFFICER’S SIGNED RECEIPT

$75.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 809-76

Nicely matted and framed receipt signed by John Henderson as “Capt. Va. Rangers,” dated Aug. 15, 1861, to one Jacob Moles for thirty bushels of corn. Henderson commanded a Virginia cavalry company and enlisted as a captain in the 7th Virginia Cavalry, also known as “Ashby’s Cavalry, on 6/26/61. The unit was eventually expanded to 29 companies and under the command of Turner Ashby served with Stonewall Jackson in his Valley Campaign, screening Jackson and scouting Union positions and movements. After Ashby’s death the large regiment was broken up in June 1862 and ten of the companies, including Henderson’s, became the 12th Virginia Cavalry, but the whole formed the nucleus of the Laurel Brigade and served throughout the war in the Department and Army of Northern Virginia, as part of Robertson’s, Jones’ and Rosser’s brigades.

Henderson served throughout the war, and is mentioned in the history of the Laurel Brigade as supervising the destruction of a railroad bridge that was the target of a Confederate raid into West Virginia in 1863. Civil War Data has more than 50 dates on which the unit engaged in some action, including large battles such as Brandy Station. Henderson survived the war, being paroled at Winchester in April 1865 and taking the oath of allegiance in May.

Although his wartime service was dangerous, his narrowest escape was at the hands of another Confederate. About six weeks after signing this receipt, Henderson was shot and wounded by one of his own men, James Miller, who was angry at the arrest of a friend in the company. Henderson recovered and was back on duty by November 1, 1861. Miller was court-martialed for mutiny, insubordination, and attempted murder, and shot by a firing squad on November 26.

The brown ink receipt is completely legible, mounted on a black background set off by a maroon mat. The receipt itself measures 7.5 by 4.75 inches and the frame is 14 by 11 inches overall.  Attached to the reverse is a modern typed description of Henderson’s service; it is accurate except it states that he died during the war. We believe that whoever wrote that misread the roster in the History of the Laurel Brigade, which lists him as dead, but it means that he had died at some point before the history was published.

This is a nice memento of a well-known Confederate cavalry unit with a good history and displays very well.  [sr]

Please note: this frame contains glass; click here for our policy for shipment of framed items containing glass.

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