Letter, Charles A. Davidson to Hannah Davidson

Containers:
Box 1, Folder 4
Scope and content:

A five page letter, dated December 2, 1859, written by Virginia Military institute cadet Charles A. Davidson, of Lexington, Va. to his mother Hannah. The letter documents the events leading up to and the execution of abolitionist John Brown at Charles Town. Davidson vividly describes the V.M.I. cadets' journey from Lexington to Charles Town including noteworthy events that transpired along the way, and offers a detailed account of the actual execution. Eighty-five V.M.I. cadets along with V.M.I. faculty attended the execution, by order of the governor of Virginia,to deter any potential protests or uprisings by Brown's supporters.

Language:
English .

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Parent restrictions:
This collection is available for research use.
Parent terms of access:
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.