Item No. 2304441

A wonderful Spring 1864 document written in the wake of the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid on Richmond, and signed by Confederate cavalry generals Fitzhugh Lee and Richard L. T. Beale. The document is an appeal written by a 9th Virginia Cavalry officer, Captain William A. Oliver (mortally wounded August 1864 at White’s Tavern) on behalf of Private Phillip Emmett Lipscomb (wounded June 1863 at Brandy Station, October 1863 near Manassas, and August 1864 at Reams’ Station). Lipscomb had reportedly captured a fine horse from the Yankee raiders and, having lost his previous mount while on duty, requested that he be allowed to keep the captured mare. The document is endorsed by Colonel Richard L. T. Beale, commanding the 9th, who agrees that Lipscomb should keep the mount, but noted that the horse was captured on a scout near Gloucester. General Fitzhugh Lee, commanding the division, also signed and ordered that the horse remain with Lipscomb until the matter was settled. The remaining endorsements include a pass granting Lipscomb passage to Richmond to make his application to keep the horse. He must have been successful because another endorsement is an order from the Assistant Secretary of War releasing the government’s claim to the mare. The document reads, in part:

I hereby certify that Private P. E. Lipscomb Company F 9th Va Cavalry, who now has in his possession a bay mare supposed to have been captured from a portion of Kilpatrick’s command in his last raid towards Richmond, lost a horse of more value than the above mentioned mare; that said horse was accidentally injured while Lipscomb was on duty, and was afterwards captured by the enemy. This occurred sometime last summer in Culpepper County Va.

Lipscomb afterwards, at great expense, purchased another horse, and rode him the balance of the campaign and that horse he now has at his home in King & Queen Co to try to recruit him and get him fit for service by the time this one is broken down.

I respectfully but earnestly request that he be allowed to keep this horse as some recompense for the one lost, and particularly as it would leave Lipscomb without a serviceable one. I will also state that private Lipscomb always has been a good soldier, so much so that his name has been sent in to be recorded on the Roll of Honor.

Wm. A. Oliver, Capt.
Co “F.” 9th Va Cav.

Hd Qurts 9th Regt VVC
March 31 1864

This horse could not have belonged to Kilpatrick’s command. He was captured by Lipscomb in Gloucester who was scouting for me, whilst I was in Hanover close upon Kilpatrick’s tracks.

The facts certified by Capt. Oliver show this soldier lost a fine horse last fall in Culpeper, and surly when on duty as a scout. He captured one, he has good claim to hold him.

Lipscomb is a very useful and efficient scout, and I earnestly recommend that he be not dismounted just at the beginning of the campaign.

Very respectfully
R.L.T. Beale, Col. Comg

Hd Qrs April 4, 1864

Private Lipscomb will be allowed to keep the horse referred to until a decision is had on the subject.

Fitz Lee, Maj. Gen.

The document was written on four pages of a stationery sheet measuring about 4 3/4” x 7 3/4”. It is in very good condition with even toning and minor foxing. There is minor separation extending from the edge at a couple of the folds. Vertical and horizontal creases where originally folded.