The following note was written by Maj. Wyatt Moseley Elliott (1823-1897), an 1842 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, who commanded the 25th Virginia Battalion, otherwise known as the “Richmond City Battalion.” This battalion was organized on 15 August 1862 for service in and around Richmond by the authority of the Confederate Secretary of War, George W. Randolph. Their anticipated term of service was six months but as the war dragged on, their term was extended and they were still on duty in May 1864 when the Richmond Daily Dispatch wrote of them: “The 25th Virginia battalion, better known as the City Battalion, Col. Wyatt M. Elliott, who, since their organization, have been on duty in this city, yesterday morning moved to Chaffin’s Bluff, their place in this city being supplied by the 28th Va. battalion, Hunton’s brigade. As the City battalion passed down Main street the troops presented a really splendid appearance, and were loudly cheered by the citizens. The men are delighted with the change. The constant guard duty they had to perform here was excessively wearisome.”

Wyatt wrote the letter to Capt. Cyrus Bossieux (1835-1906) of Richmond who commanded Co. F of the battalion. He first entered the war as an enlisted man in Co. A, 1st Virginia Infantry. He also served as Capt. of Co. H in the 3rd Virginia Artillery. Reference is also made to Co.’s A & C which were commanded by Capt. John H. Greaner and Capt. W. W. Harrison, respectively.

The significance of this note is that it was written during the Battle of Chancellorsville just as the tide was turning against Hooker’s Army of the Potomac who were being pressed by McLaws and Early to push Sedgwick’s men back across the Rappahannock. Major Elliott’s placement of troops north of Richmond on the Hanover Plank Road was precautionary, not knowing the direction Sedgwick’s army intended to take after crossing the Rappahannock and overrunning the Confederate defenses at Fredericksburg the previous day.

Transcription

Richmond [Virginia]
May 4th 1863
1 1/4 o’clock p.m.

Capt. C. Bossieux,

Sir, I send this note by the hand of Mr. W. O. Taylor. I have received no message from you. You will retain the position you now hold. I have ordered two companies placed at my disposal in aid of your force on the plank road to take position at the point at which you yesterday left companies A & C whose duty will be to dispute the passage of the plank road and also to be summoned to your aid in case of necessity. I will be out on the road this evening in person in time to give orders to the two companies mentioned with reference to cooperation with you. If you have anything to communicate, send by Mr. Taylor in reply.

— W. M. Elliott, Maj. Commanding 25th Va. Battalion

To Capt. Cyrus Bossieux, Commanding forces [on the] Hanover Plank Road