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7th VA Cavalry Daguerreotype

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:300.00 USD
7th VA Cavalry Daguerreotype
Sixth-plage daguerreotype of Captain John Fletcher who served in the 7th Virginia Cavalry under Captain Turner Ashby. Fletcher was born in 1835, graduated from VMI and, while serving in the 7th Virginia, was killed leading a cavalry charge at Buckton Station, VA on 23 May 1862. A day earlier, on 22 May 1862, the 7th VA Cavalry was doing its part in General Stonewall Jackson's plan of capturing the Union garrison at Front Royal. Ashby's men moved out at daybreak and at midmorning, they were at Buckton Station, a key stop on the Manassas Gap Railroad, halfway between the towns of Strasburg and Front Royal.
The Confederates sneaked into Buckton Station and, in less than 5 minutes, took possession of the station but not before losing 3 men in the charge, including Captain Fletcher. Daguerreotype of Fletcher in his VMI uniform is somewhat light and oxidized around edges, though very good condition otherwise. Full case present, though detached. From the collection of John K. Gott of Fauquier County, Virginia, noted author, historian and collector of Civil War and Virginia memorabilia.