Autograph letter signed by A. Henderson Byers, Co. D, 1st Virginia Cavalry, to his sister. Camp near Orange Court House, Orange County, Virginia, 12 November 1863. 2 pages, 4to, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., on blue paper in pencil.

Written after the Second Battle of Rappahannock, Byers writes home with news of the recent fighting: "We once more breathe freely - we have had quite an exciting time for the last few days and the Yankees have gotten away back to the Rapidan again. We were four days retreating from the Rappahannock but had but little fighting to do as the Yankee cavalry did not push up on us and we fell back before their infantry. I suppose their cavalry was afraid to come up with out their infantry as we gave them such a bad whipping when the followed us up from Manassas."

He continues with requests for food, noting that the soldiers and horses are faring poorly for want of more supplies, before speculating about the fighting yet to come: "It is the general opinion that we will have another big fight here in a few days & if we do I hope that Mr. Mead will get a worse whipping than Fighting Joe Hooker got a Fredericksburg.”

The 1st Virginia Cavalry was continuously engaged in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War including at First and Second Bull Run (Manassas), Seven Days' Battles, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. During the time of this letter, the 1st Virginia was under the command of Colonel Fitzhugh Lee. They would continue in the East, fighting in the Overland and Appomattox Campaigns.

A. Henderson Byars (1835-1926) enlisted with the regiment at Abingdon, Virginia on 15 March 1862 and was mustered into Company D. He is listed on the rolls on 31 August 1864, but little else is known of his service.

Condition: very minor toning along old folds.

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