Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Bold signature "T.J. Jackson" on 7.5 x 9.5 in. autograph letter datelined "Winchester Feby. 25th 1862" to Lt. Col. Lawson Botts in Charlestown Va., accompanied by brown cover addressed in Jackson's hand and endorsed "introducing Lt. Boswell", carried by military courier, thus without postal markings, the letter states "Colonel, This note will be handed to you by 1st Lt. Jas. K. Boswell of the Provisional Engineers. Please give him every assistance in your power favoring? a thorough reconnaissance of Harpers Ferry.", letter with minor nicks at one edge well away from the writing, one fold reinforced with archival tape, cover with some minor edge wear

VERY FINE. A DESIRABLE AND RARE CIVIL WAR LETTER SIGNED BY THOMAS J. "STONEWALL" JACKSON, WITH THE ORIGINAL COVER WRITTEN IN JACKSON'S HAND.

In the Official Records of the Civil War, there is a letter from Jackson written from Winchester, to Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, dated the day before this letter with fascinating content related to military operations near Winchester and Manassas just prior to the start of Jackson's famous Valley Campaign. It discusses fortifications and Lt. Boswell specifically, including "General, First Lieutenant James K. Boswell, of the Provisional Engineers, is directed to report to me for duty. I have plenty of work for him, but if you desire additional fortifications constructed for the defense of Winchester, please state what shall be their character, and I will put him at work immediately after his arrival. The subject of fortifying is of such importance as to induce me to consult you before moving in the matter... I have reason to believe that the enemy design advancing on this place in large force."

Lt. Boswell was with Jackson on May 2, 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, when both were accidentally shot by their own troops. Boswell died instantly, to be followed by Jackson eight days later.

According to the Virginia Military Institute archives, Lawson Botts was a Confederate officer who served with the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. Prior to the Civil War he was a lawyer and served as one of the lawyers assigned to defend the abolitionist John Brown. In 1859 Botts became captain of a volunteer company known as the "Botts Grays." When the Civil War began, this unit entered the service of Virginia as Company G, 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, one of the units that comprised the famous Stonewall Brigade, under Jackson. Botts was mortally wounded in action at 2nd Manassas on Aug. 28, 1862 and died two weeks later, seven months after receiving this letter from Jackson. (http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=6507).

Accompanied by an 1863 photograph of Jackson, taken days before his death near Chancellorsville. With 1980 Charles Hamilton certificate

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