Letter from Morris David Vance to William B. Townsend Regarding Vance’s Activities during the Civil War and post- Civil War Periods

William B. Townsend was a resident of Ohio who had a hobby of autograph collecting. In pursuit of his hobbies, he would write letters to many people he believed may have done something in their lives that would make their autographs valuable. He apparently wrote such a letter to Mr. Vance, who was a Confederate General in General W. L. Cobell's Cavalry during the Civil War. This letter is ex-General Vance's response to Mr. Townsend.

The letter, which is handwritten and dated February 22, 1928, is on the stationary of the United Confederate Veterans Reunion, which was scheduled to take place in Little Rock, Arkansas in May 1928. In the letter Mr. Vance writes mostly of his experiences during and after the Civil War. If Mr. Townsend was seeking an autograph, he may have been disappointed since Mr. Vance was running out of space for what he was writing, and his signature is squeezed into the bottom of the page.

The text, being handwritten, may be difficult to read fully – but it is interesting. The paper is tanned at top and bottom and chipped on the upper edge. The overall condition of the letter is good.

Morris David Vance (June 8, 1845 – January 23, 1940) was born in Perry County, Arkansas. His non-wartime occupation initially was in teaching, and later in life in insurance. During the Civil War he was a Confederate Genereal in General W. L. Cobell's Cavalry. He died in Faulkner County, Arkansas.