21780 CSA 4, 5¢ blue tied RICHMOND Va. APR 25 1862 CDS on cover to Mrs. John T. Thornton Farmville Prince Edward County, Virginia.  $125.

John Thruston Thornton (1829-1862) was a 32 year-old lawyer when he enlisted as a captain. He was chosen to participate in the Virginia secession convention and voted to secede on April 17, 1861, joining the army shortly thereafter. He was commissioned into Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry and promoted to Lt. Col. April 15, 1862. He was mortally wounded at Sharpsburg (Antietam). At the time of this letter, he was commander of the 3rd Virginia in the brigade of Fitzhugh Lee outside Richmond. He was married to Martha Jane Riddle Thornton; they had six children.