ORGANIZING THE SECESSION VOTE (CIVIL WAR--CONFEDERATE.) TAYLOR, TAZEWELL. Autograph Letter Signed, to B. W. Belscher, Captain of the Sussex Light Dragoons, sending an order from General Walther Gwynn, instructing him on the handling of poll books for the next day's secession vote and ordering him to appoint a superintendent, a commissioner and several clerks. 1 page, single 4to sheet, Headquarters Major General Commanding Forces in Norfolk Harbor stationery; remnants of prior mounting on verso with minor resulting toning at left edge of sheet on recto. Norfolk, 22 May 1861
A scarce document from the brief Confederate occupation of Norfolk Harbor. Shortly after Sumter's fall, as the Virginia convention met to consider an ordinance of secession, the Virginia militia was ordered to raid the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry and seize the Gosport Navy Yard near Norfolk, which they did on 20 April 1861. One day after this letter, Virginia officially seceded when the ordinance was ratified by the public by an overwhelming majority.
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