[Petersburg, Virginia] blue straightline PAID and red crayon “2” drop rate on cavalry soldier’s letter to “Miss Agnes Lyon Care of Maj D. Lyon, Petersburg, Va”. Unevenly opened at right. Letter is from Thomas Boisseau Booth, who was a 21 year-old farmer and 1860 graduate of VMI when he enlisted in Co. I 3rd Virginia Cavalry. He was a courier for Gen. Semmes and wounded 5-9-62 in the retreat up peninsula. Scarce drop rate and excellent letter contents. $600.

Long soldier’s letter of 8 pages headed “Cavalry Camp September 8th, 1861” – full typed transcription accompanies. Some rather amusing contents, to wit, “A man from Prince George by the name of L. L. Lee and about half crocked came to our camp just before the burning of Hampton. Stayed with us about two days and went off somewhere I know not where. To my surprise as we passed Bethel on our way to Hampton who should I see but Mr. Lee. He followed us down and while we were down there he got off some way or other and went towards Old Point where he was taken and carried to the Rip Raps as a prisoner. None of us knew he had gone there until a few days ago he came to out camp and told us he was just from Fortress Monroe. Upon being asked how he managed to get away he said he preached, wrote and talked to them so often and so much they had to turn him out to get rid of him. He says he has nearly converted Old Wool and he thinks a few more visits down there will convert him and he will come to General Magruder and ask his pardon for the sin he has committed in taking up arms against him. And finally he says he has made the Yankees open their eyes by telling them God is against them and he will fight our battles for us. I think they have had evidence enough of this already.”