Manual is titled “THE TROOPER’S MANUAL: OR TACTICS FOR LIGHT DRAGOONS AND MOUNTED RIFLEMEN” by Col. Lucius Davis. The book was published in Richmond, Virginia in 1861. Inscribed in period ink between the lines of the printed title is “CAPT. R. W. BAYLOR, CO. B 12^TH REGT. VA. CAVLY.”

The volume meas. approx. 4.00 x 6.00 inches and runs 284 pages with an additional 19 pages of military music at the back of the book. The exterior of the volume has marble boards with a leather spine that overlaps the edge of the boards. Covers show light wear throughout but it is heavier on the edges. Leather spine has moderate surface finish loss and hinges are a little weak.

The title page and first blank page are connected to each other and have come loose from the volume. However the pages have been neatly tucked into their normal position and have been kept safe from damage over the years. The rest of the interior is very nice and the only sign of age is slight paper discoloration. Over all the volume is in nice used condition.

The owner of the manual was Robert William Baylor who was born May 25, 1813 in Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia and married after graduation. He made a living as a farmer early on but also became a member of the Virginia Legislature as well as a Judge in the Jefferson County Court. In addition he was also Colonel of the 3^rd Virginia Cavalry Militia.

When John Brown captured the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry in October of 1859 Baylor was ordered by the Governor of Virginia to gather his command and proceed to Harper’s Ferry. When Baylor arrived Brown’s men controlled the town. Baylor organized the militia present, sealed off the town and hemmed Brown’s men into the engine house forever known afterward as “John Brown’s Fort.” Some firing took place as the militia deployed but this was brought to a halt by a white flag appearing from the door of the fort. By a messenger John Brown told Colonel Baylor that if he would let Brown cross the river into the countryside he would release his hostages. After some discussion Baylor refused Brown’s proposal. Upon the arrival of Colonel Robert E. Lee, Colonel Baylor surrendered command to him and the capture of John Brown was effected.

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Baylor was appointed Captain and raised “The Baylor Light Horse” which became a Company in the 7^th Virginia Cavalry and later Company B of the 12^th Virginia Cavalry. During an engagement at McGaheysville on April 27, 1862 Captain Baylor was shot through the lung and though he recovered he was never again fit for field service.

In December of 1862 Captain Baylor was captured at his home in Charles Town and charged with murder for killing a Union soldier while under flag of truce early in 1862. Baylor was confined at Fort McHenry and later Fort Delaware. He was court martialed and sentence to death but the sentence was later commuted to incarceration. He was paroled as a POW in 1864 and then served as the Provost Marshall of the Valley Department.

After the war ended Captain Baylor returned to a home that had been devastated by the war. He spent the rest of his life rebuilding and being an active member of his community. He died at Charles Town, West Virginia on May 2, 1883 and was buried in Zion Episcopal Church Yard in Charles Town, West Virginia.

The manual offered here was purchased by the previous owner in a Charles Town, West Virginia auction in the 1970’s and no doubt was from the estate of one of Colonel Baylor’s descendants.

Confederate produced manuals are rare in their own right and this one has the added attraction of belonging to a man who played a large role in one of the most important events of the country’s history. With this item is a binder that contains a fair amount of research on Colonel Baylor and delves a little deeper into the story presented here.

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