A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 22744
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Richard Byrd Kennon was born 10 November 1835 in Norfolk, Virginia, to George Tarry Kennon (1788-1855) and Ann Whittle Boush
Kennon (1796-1864). He married Louisiana Barraud Cocke (1838-1914), and they had 10 children. They resided at "Pea Hill",
Brunswick County, Virginia. Kennon served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Company I, a Captain in the 11th
Virginia Cavalry, a Captain and Assistant Adjutant's General in Dearing's Brigade, and an Adjutant in the 8th Virginia Cavalry.
These papers also prove his service to Rosser's Brigade; although, Confederate record books contain no record of his participation
in the unit. In June 1890, he entered a soldiers' home in Richmond. Kennon died 14 December 1892 at "Pea Hill," and is buried
in St. Luke's Episcopal Church cemetery in Northampton County, North Carolina.
Papers, 1863-1865, of Richard Byrd Kennon (1835-1892) of Brunswick County, Virginia, consisting of military orders concerning
Kennon's reassignment, General Thomas L. Rosser's brigade and soldiers in it, and General Robert E. Lee's (1807-1870) General
Order No. 9 concerning the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia; correspondence concerning supplies and corn for Rosser's
brigade and reports denying damage done by the brigade to civilian property; a military pass issued to Kennon; a report by
Kennon as assistant inspector general of inspection of Rosser's brigade; a map of military positions in Hanover County, Virginia:
and a letter from Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953) of Richmond, Virginia, to Clara Vernon Kennon (1878-1963) of Brunswick
County, Virginia, concerning this map.
Special orders number 91,
19 May 1863,
signed by General Henry Heth (1825-1899), relieving Colonel Walter Hanson Jenifer (d. 1878) and Lieutenant Richard Byrd Kennon
of duty and ordering them to report to Richmond, Virginia, for reassignment.
Telegram,
25 ? 1864,
from General Jeb Stuart (1833-1864) to General Thomas L. Rosser (1836-1910), ordering his cavalry command to Waynesboro, Virginia.
Letter,
28 March 1864,
from John Taylor (1825-1904) of Hanover County, Virginia, to Kennon stating that he knows of no destruction of property in
his neighborhood by Rosser's brigade.
Pass,
24 March 1864,
for Kennon to travel to Orange Court House, Virginia.
Letter,
28 March 1864,
from J. T. Dickinson to General Rosser concerning supplies.
Telegram,
23 April 1864,
from W. B. Richards of Orange County, Virginia, to General Rosser informing him that corn is being sent.
Orders,
25 July 1864,
from H. B. McClellan (1840-1904) to Thomas Estep (d. ca. 1864) of the 12th Virginia Cavalry.
Orders,
28 August 1864,
from H. B. McClellan to M. (Nason) Will of the 12th Virginia Cavalry.
Report,
31 October 1864,
by Kennon as assistant inspector general of inspection of Rosser's Brigade.
General Order No. 9,
10 April 1865,
of Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) to the Army of Northern Virginia informing its soldiers they are surrendered.
map,
no date,
of military positions in Hanover County.
Letter,
10 October 1928,
from Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953) of Richmond to Clara Vernon Kennon (1878-1963) of Brunswick County, Virginia, concerning
the map.