FLAG OF TRUCE LETTER (4 pages) headed March 12, 1863, North to South letter to Confederate Soldier William H Gordon, Jr (Georgetown, DC to Richmond, Virginia) from his sister, Josie concerning her repeated attempts to communicate by any way possible, his probable transfer to more active service, etc. This letter reads in part, "I will again make an effort to send you one (letter) through that source (flag of truce)…I despatched (sic) an open letter to you in Feb. & but a short time since flattered myself a second was on its way to you when alas! It was returned (to) me with the discouraging message that it could not be sent…The ladies who went down in Jan took messages for you & Mother’s photograph…Your letters of Jan 13th had been received, but not the one by flag of truce earlier in the month." [VA] [DC] $120.

William H. Gordon, Jr. The Wheatley and Gordon families lived at 3041-3045 N Street, Georgetown, D.C. during the Civil War. Although both families had southern sympathies, William H. Gordon, Sr. remained in his U.S. government job. He was commended upon retirement as being "one of the oldest and most valuable of government employees." His oldest son, William H. Gordon, Jr. had a Ph.D. and taught mathematics. Although he longed to help the rebel cause, he respected his parents' wishes and initially refrained from fighting. One day he got into an altercation with a federal officer. Because he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the government, he was jailed in Baltimore. He was exchanged for a Union prisoner and sent south. He became a lieutenant with the Confederate army and worked as an engineer. William Gordon Jr. received his pardon August 8th, 1865. At war's end he returned to D.C.