Rare pre-war letter written from Turner Ashby to Daniel C. Hatcher discussing the Mountain Rangers in June 1860. There is a second page with a pencil drawing of a building's rooftop. Transcript of letter is attached.
Context
Turner Ashby led the Mountain Rangers cavalry unit, which assisted in the guarding of John Brown while he was held in jail and awaiting trial and execution. The Mountain Rangers also responded to the Raid itself. Ashby used John Brown's raid to further pro-Southern sentiments and stated that the Civil War began with John Brown's Raid. During the Civil War he was a Confederate cavalry general.
