Details
[CIVIL WAR]. VAN DORN, Earl (1820-1863), Major General, CSA. Autograph letter signed ("Earl Van Dorn") to Judge Burnett [David G. Burnet, former President of Texas], Eagle Lake, TX, 29 July 1861. 1 page, 4to, lightly browned, minimal evidence of attachment on verso.
VAN DORN AND TEXAS PRESIDENT DAVID BURNET
A fascinating letter in which Confederate General Van Dorn reveals to David Burnet (1780-1870) that his son has enlisted in the Confederate service, an act that would ultimately cause tremendous grief to the former President of Texas when the son was killed in battle. Van Dorn, a native of Mississippi, had served in Texas as an officer of the 2nd U.S. cavalry during most of his pre-war military career. Here, he writes to Burnet, "to say that Mr. McNeil saw your son in New Orleans as he passed through and says he had resigned his commission in the U.S. army and was on his way to Richmond to offer his services to the C.S. army. I do not know that you have heard from him and write to let you know of his position. I am happy to learn that he is all right." David Burnet, one of the original American settlers in Texas, became the Republic's first President, a position that he held from March 17 to October 22, 1836. Van Dorn served in Virginia, commanded at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and led troops in Mississippi before being killed in Spring Hill, Tennessee on May 7, 1863 by a jealous husband.
VAN DORN AND TEXAS PRESIDENT DAVID BURNET
A fascinating letter in which Confederate General Van Dorn reveals to David Burnet (1780-1870) that his son has enlisted in the Confederate service, an act that would ultimately cause tremendous grief to the former President of Texas when the son was killed in battle. Van Dorn, a native of Mississippi, had served in Texas as an officer of the 2nd U.S. cavalry during most of his pre-war military career. Here, he writes to Burnet, "to say that Mr. McNeil saw your son in New Orleans as he passed through and says he had resigned his commission in the U.S. army and was on his way to Richmond to offer his services to the C.S. army. I do not know that you have heard from him and write to let you know of his position. I am happy to learn that he is all right." David Burnet, one of the original American settlers in Texas, became the Republic's first President, a position that he held from March 17 to October 22, 1836. Van Dorn served in Virginia, commanded at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and led troops in Mississippi before being killed in Spring Hill, Tennessee on May 7, 1863 by a jealous husband.