Correspondence and Papers of Colonel John Thompson Brown II

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Correspondence, commissions, receipts, etc., of Colonel John Thompson Brown II, killed in action on May 6, 1864; his drafts of speeches in defense of slavery. This box contains the papers from the period after the death of John Thompson Brown, and concern John Thompson Brown II, born in 1835, some 18 months before the death of his father. One letter (November 20, 1844) lists the courses studied by boys at the ages of 9, 11, and 13; a travel book gives an interesting picture of Europe (May 4, 1857); and a draft of a letter describes the bleedings to which a tourist entering Italy had to submit. John Thompson Brown II was elected Second Lieutenant by the members of his company (December 1, 1859). Also included are notes of speeches made to rouse war enthusiasm. The receipt for a saber and belt (April 23, 1861) mark the beginning of action, and other records follow John Thompson Brown II's rise to Major, then to Colonel. His request for a transfer to a more active field of war and an extended argument with his commanding officer, Brig. General William Nelson Pendleton, are of interest. The box concludes with items which appear to have been on the person of Colonel John Thompson Brown II, when he was killed in action on 6 May 1864. 83 items.

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