Description:

WILLIAM NORRIS
(1820-1896) Confederate colonel, Chief of the Signal Bureau in Richmond, also commander of the Secret Service Bureau within the Signal Corps. Rare, great content war date A.L.S. 'Wm. S. Norris', 1p. 4to., Richmond, May 6, 1864, to Confederate President Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) concerning the operation of the Confederate telegraph system. In full: 'Our lines to Petersburg have not yet been interrupted. We are sending important dispatches via Lynchburg. I will inform you as soon as our communications are interrupted...' Slightly toned with scattered ink stains, else fine. Two days prior to this, Ulysses S. Grant launched his Overland Campaign by engaging the forces of Robert E. Lee at the Battle of the Wilderness. The South knew the objective of this campaign was to make an assault on Richmond, so this letter is anticipating and eventual interruption in telegraph lines. Norris also was a frequent correspondent of Davis as commander of the Secret Service Bureau within the Signal Corps. As a part of the larger Confederate spy network, the Bureau oversaw communications from agents in Union territory and forwarded important information to the appropriate officials.

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August 25, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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