to officers and soldiers of the Virginia colored guards
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05335 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter Date: circa 1863-1864 Pagination: 3 p. ; 31 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
An unknown female author presents a flag to African American troops stationed in the vicinity. States "it has often been remarked how much better this company has behaved than others previously encamped on this ground_ the ladies have spoken highly of the courteous manner of the soldiers ..." Urges the men to protect the flag during battle at all costs, stating "but soldier! never let its shadow be tarnished by a mean or cruel deed ... Ladies cannot fight, we have not courage to face the cannon's mouth ... but we respect a brave and honorable soldier." Instructs the soldiers to protect the flag from the enemy, and to protect themselves from the vices of camp life. States "when you return to the North and hear our state spoken of with contempt ... say that you found in Dixie, sons and daughters true to their country and this flag ... " Possibly written in Virginia.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.