CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE GETTYSBURG MAJOR AMHERST LIGHT ARTILLERY VA LETTER SIGNED
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| Reference Number: Avaluer:16322426 | Modified Item: No |
| Featured Refinements: Confederate Letter | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
THOMAS J. KIRKPATRICK(1829 - 1897)CIVIL WAR WIA CONFEDERATEMAJOR IN NELSON’S ARTILLERY BATTALION 1864-5, CIVIL WAR BATTLE OFGETTYSBURG CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN IN THE “HARD-FIGHTING”AMHERST LIGHT ARTILLERY – KIRKPATRICK’S Co. OF VIRGINIA 1861-4, VIRGINIA STATE SENATOR 1871-1875, 1st PUBLICSCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OF LYNCHBURG, VA.&TRUSTEE OF HOWARDUNIVERSITY!AfterVirginia declared its secession in April and joined the American Civil War, Kirkpatrick organized a company called the... "Amherst Light Artillery"on July 24, 1861, and became its captain. In 1862, he notified Lynchburg thatBrig. General Samuel Garland, Jr. had been killed in battle in Boonsboro, Maryland. Capt. Kirkpatrick was promoted to full major on February 18, 1865 in command of Nelson’s Artillery regiment, and was wounded in action onAug. 17, 1864 at the battle of Winchester, Virginia. His wife Fortuna andNarcissa Owen (whose husband Kirkpatrick would succeed in the VA State Senate), both active in St. Paul's Church, led about 500 Lynchburg women in sewinguniforms and otherwise helping and giving aid to Confederate troops.July 26, 1864: Capture of Kirkpatrick’s Battery “Captureof Kirkpatrick’s Battery -- We regret to report the capture of this Battery. Aletter from Capt. K., received yesterday, announced the fact. His four guns(Napoleons) and three caissons were all taken. About twenty horses were killed– all the others were saved. All the men escaped except a few wounded. Lieut.Latham was severely wounded in the thigh…”HERE’SAN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY KIRKPATRICK ON “SENATE CHAMBER” LETTERHEAD, 1p., DATELINED AT RICHMOND, VA, JANY. 8th1874 TO THE HON. NELSON K. HOPKINS, WHO WAS THE COMPTROLLER FOR THE STATE OFNEW YORK, ASKING HOPKINS FOR HIS REPORT ON THE FINANCES OF NEW YORK, “…We here in Virginia greatly need theinformation it contains…”The document measures 8” x 10” and is invery good condition.A RARE ADDITION TO YOUR CONFEDERATE WARBETWEEN THE STATES “OFFICERS IN GRAY” AUTOGRAPH, MANUSCRIPT & EPHEMERA COLLECTION! <<::>>BIOGRAPHYOF THE HONORABLETHOMASJ. KIRKPATRICKThomas Jellis Kirkpatrick (July 31, 1829 -October 17, 1897) was a Virginia lawyer, Confederate officer, and laterLynchburg's first public school superintendent, as well as its representativein the Virginia senate for one term (1871-1875).Early and family lifeThomas J. Kirkpatrick was born in Cumberland County, Virginiato John Kirkpatrick and his wife Jane Maria Jellis. On March 3, 1852 Thomas Kirkpatrick married Fortunata Sydnor. Her parentswere Fortunatus Sydnor and Elizabeth Royall, who was descended from patriot BenjaminWatkins of Chesterfield County.They had several children, of whom at least Elizabeth Sydnor Kirkpatrick(b.1858), Sydnor F. Kirkpatrick (b.1862) and Thomas J. Kirkpatrick Jr. (b.1868)survived to adulthood. By 1880, Thomas Jr. and daughter Susan were away atboarding school, and Thomas Sr and his wife lived with three daughters and ayoung son, along with two servants and two boarders.CareerBy 1850, Kirkpatrick had begun his legal practice in Lynchburg, where he livedwith his widowed mother and four sisters. In 1855, he became the first president of thelocal Young Men's ChristianAssociation, and he would lead the First Presbyterian SundaySchool for five decades.[4]By 1860, Kirkpatrick was a trustee of Washington Collegein Lexington, and continued to serve on that board until 1870. In February 1861, Kirkpatrick ran for the Virginia Secession Conventionas a Disunion candidate from Lynchburg alongside John Goggin, but votersinstead elected Unionists John M. Speed and Charles R. Slaughter, perhapsacceding to the constant pleas of The Virginian newspaper.After Virginia declared its secession in April and joined the American Civil War, Kirkpatrick organized a company called the "Amherst Light Artillery"on July 24, 1861, and became its captain. In 1862, he notified Lynchburg thatBrig. General Samuel Garland, Jr.had been killed in battle in Boonsboro, Maryland.Capt. Kirkpatrick was promoted to full major on February 18, 1865. Hiswife and Narcissa Owen(whose husband Kirkpatrick would succeed in the state Senate), both active in St. Paul's Church, led about 500 Lynchburg women in sewing uniforms and otherwise helpingConfederate troops.After war ended, Kirkpatrick resumed his legal practice, as well as becameLynchburg's superintendent of schools, operating four white and two Negroschools. A Catholic schooland two private schools to teach boys and girls, respectively, were alsofounded at the time. In December 1871, Kirkpatrick succeeded Robert L. Owen Sr., who had bought a plantation near Norfolk, in representing Campbell County in the Virginia State Senate. Kirkpatrick wasnot re-elected, but succeeded on December 1, 1875 by fellow Confederate veteranand Conservative Democrat JohnW. Daniel. By 1891, Kirkpatrick was a trustee of HowardUniversity in Washington, D.C., with his status changing to honorary by 1894. Death and legacyKirkpatrick died in Lynchburg on October 17, 1897 and is buried in thePresbyterian cemetery<<>> CivilWar Service Record of Thomas Jellis KirkpatrickResidence Lynchburg, VA; a 31 year-old Lawyer & Teacher.Enlisted on July 24, 1861 at Richmond, VA as a Captain.On July 24, 1861 he was commissioned into VA Amherst Light Artillery (a regiment he organized)He was listed as:Absent, sick Dec. 25, 1861 (place not stated) (For 10 days)Assigned Oct. 20, 1863 To court martial dutyAssigned Feb. 2, 1864 To court martial dutyCommanding June 22, 1864 Fisher's Hill, VA (Commanding Nelson's Battalion)Wounded Aug. 17, 1864 Winchester, VA (Slightly)Commanding Aug. 30, 1864 Bunker Hill, VA (Commanding Nelson's Battalion)Absent, leave Dec. 31, 1864 (place not stated)Paroled May 22, 1865 Lynchburg, VAPromotions:Major Feb. 18, 1865 (As of Nelson's Battalion)
Other Information:(Parents: Rev John and James M. Brown Jellis Kirkpatrick. Attended Washington College. Married Fortuna Snyder March 3, 1852.)Source: The Virginia Regimental Histories Series<<::>>CivilWar History: Amherst (Virginia) Artillery 1861 July 24 Organized in Amherst County under the command of Captain Thomas J. Kirkpatrick. (A different battery known as the Amherst-Nelson Battery was organized in September of 1861 under Captain Woodville Latham.) November Assigned to Reserve Artillery of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. 1862 May 15 The battery reorganized. April-May Siege of Yorktown June Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Artillery, Jackson’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia June 25 – July 1 Seven Days battles September 16 Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) The battery was posted on the south side of the Potomac ford near Shepherdstown. It was not engaged in the battle. It was equipped with two 12-pounder Napoleons and two 3″ Ordnance rifles. September 20 Shepherdstown Ford October 4 Some men were transferred in from the disbanded Hanover and Middlesex Batteries. December 13 Battle of Fredericksburg 1863 May 1-4 Battle of Chancellorsville June Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia July 1-4 Battle of Gettysburg The battery was commanded by Captain Thomas J. Kirkpatrick. From the War Department marker on the Gettysburg battlefield: Army of Northern Virginia
Ewell’s Corps Artillery Reserve
Nelson’s Battalion Kirkpatrick’s Battery
Amherst Virginia Artillery
One 3 Inch Rifle Three Napoleons July 1. The Battery arrived too late on the field to participate in the engagement of the day. July 2. Took position on Seminary Ridge 1/4 mile north of Chambersburg Pike. About 11 A. M. moved to the rear of Pennsylvania College and remained until night when the Battery returned to the position of the morning. July 3. Ordered to the extreme left of the Confederate line. At midnight moved with Johnson’s Division to Seminary Ridge. July 4. Took position on the ridge west of town and at midnight took up the line of march to Hagerstown. No report of casualties or ammunition expended. October Bristoe Campaign November-December Mine Run Campaign 1864 May 5-6 Battle of The Wilderness May 8-21 Battle of Spotsylvania Court House May 23-26 North Anna June 1-3 Battle of Cold Harbor June Lynchburg Campaign. Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Artillery, Second Corps, Army of the Valley, July 9 Battle of Monocacy September 19 Third Battle of Winchester September 22 Battle of Fisher’s Hill October 19 Battle of Cedar Creek 1865 March 2, 1865 Battle of Waynesboro Most of the men and all of the guns of the battery were captured. I am a proud member of theUniversal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors (APIC)(member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations' code of ethicsand authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and historicalmemorabilia online for over twenty years.~
WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
Other Information:(Parents: Rev John and James M. Brown Jellis Kirkpatrick. Attended Washington College. Married Fortuna Snyder March 3, 1852.)Source: The Virginia Regimental Histories Series<<::>>CivilWar History: Amherst (Virginia) Artillery 1861 July 24 Organized in Amherst County under the command of Captain Thomas J. Kirkpatrick. (A different battery known as the Amherst-Nelson Battery was organized in September of 1861 under Captain Woodville Latham.) November Assigned to Reserve Artillery of the Potomac District, Department of Northern Virginia. 1862 May 15 The battery reorganized. April-May Siege of Yorktown June Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Artillery, Jackson’s Command, Army of Northern Virginia June 25 – July 1 Seven Days battles September 16 Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) The battery was posted on the south side of the Potomac ford near Shepherdstown. It was not engaged in the battle. It was equipped with two 12-pounder Napoleons and two 3″ Ordnance rifles. September 20 Shepherdstown Ford October 4 Some men were transferred in from the disbanded Hanover and Middlesex Batteries. December 13 Battle of Fredericksburg 1863 May 1-4 Battle of Chancellorsville June Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Reserve Artillery, 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia July 1-4 Battle of Gettysburg The battery was commanded by Captain Thomas J. Kirkpatrick. From the War Department marker on the Gettysburg battlefield: Army of Northern Virginia
Ewell’s Corps Artillery Reserve
Nelson’s Battalion Kirkpatrick’s Battery
Amherst Virginia Artillery
One 3 Inch Rifle Three Napoleons July 1. The Battery arrived too late on the field to participate in the engagement of the day. July 2. Took position on Seminary Ridge 1/4 mile north of Chambersburg Pike. About 11 A. M. moved to the rear of Pennsylvania College and remained until night when the Battery returned to the position of the morning. July 3. Ordered to the extreme left of the Confederate line. At midnight moved with Johnson’s Division to Seminary Ridge. July 4. Took position on the ridge west of town and at midnight took up the line of march to Hagerstown. No report of casualties or ammunition expended. October Bristoe Campaign November-December Mine Run Campaign 1864 May 5-6 Battle of The Wilderness May 8-21 Battle of Spotsylvania Court House May 23-26 North Anna June 1-3 Battle of Cold Harbor June Lynchburg Campaign. Assigned to Nelson’s Battalion, Artillery, Second Corps, Army of the Valley, July 9 Battle of Monocacy September 19 Third Battle of Winchester September 22 Battle of Fisher’s Hill October 19 Battle of Cedar Creek 1865 March 2, 1865 Battle of Waynesboro Most of the men and all of the guns of the battery were captured. I am a proud member of theUniversal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors (APIC)(member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations' code of ethicsand authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and historicalmemorabilia online for over twenty years.~
WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
