ANTEBELLUM ALS BY VMI PROFFESOR AND CS LT. COL. JAMES WOODS MASSIE – 51ST VIRGINIA INFANTRY; SERVED WITH STONEWALL JACKSON EARLY IN THE CIVIL WAR

$375.00

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Item Code: 846-556

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Two page letter (one sheet, front & back) on blue paper, written in ink. Dated Lexington (VA), April 4, 1853. Written by Massie to fellow VMI graduate Gen. Douglas B. Layne.  Overall very good condition; several vertical fold lines with some staining along middle fold. Two small holes near top edge.

This missive is a letter of recommendation to Layne for the post of Marshall of the Western District of Virginia. It reads in part, “…I will suppose my name will have influence, but still I am not gratifying my own feelings when I do this much for my old friend & master in the military line.”  “We want to carry the country this Spring at all hazards – we will war to the knife – Our candidates will be probably nominated at the Circuit Court in April – With sentiments of high regard, I am your friend & fellow citizen, J. W. Massie.”

Born in 1826, James Wood Massie was a member of the VMI Class of 1849. He served in the Virginia State Legislature in 1858-59; he was a colonel in the Virginia State Militia prior to the Civil War. He was a professor of Mathematics at VMI from 1849 – 1861, and 1863-1872.  Massie enlisted on 7/17/61 as a Lt. Colonel and on that date was commissioned into the 51st Virginia Infantry. He commanded the regiment at the Battle of Fort Donelson. He was dropped from rolls on 5/26/62.  He died in January 1872 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington, VA. [ld][ph:L]

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