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SMITH, FRANCIS K.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:75.00 - 100.00 USD
SMITH, FRANCIS K.
(1812 - 1890) Confederate colonel and post-war superintendent of VMI. He helped rebuild the institute after the war. A.L.S. ""Francis K. Smith"" 3pp. 8vo., Lexington, Mar. 21, 1889 on VMI letterhead to ex-Confederate General Wm. H. Payne, in part: ""àyou had written to Col. E. Pendleton expressing your doubts as to your being able to meet the appointment as orator for our alumniàI want to try and do what I can to make certain you discharge of this duty. There are special reasons which led the alumni to select youàon the 8th of June I will close 50 years of continuos service as SuperintendentàI have confidently made known to a few of my personal friends, I intend to lay down my life work thereàI am sure what you would say would be like 'apples of Gold in baskets of silver'à"". An interesting appeal to the man who organized the feared ""Black Horse Cavalry"". Extensive endorsement by WILLIAM H. PAYNE on verso gives reasons for not attending the event at VMI and adds that he also had to miss the unveiling of a Confederate Monument and Lee's Monument at Richmond. Very good.