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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], William A. Revell Note, Ms1988-063, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The William A. Revell Note was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1988.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the William A. Revell Note commenced and was completed in April, 2021.

Biographical Note

William A. Revell was born in Ireland, ca. 1842. He worked as a mechanic before enlisting in Company A, 13th New York Cavalry in November, 1862. In March, 1864, he was promoted and commissioned a second lieutenant. In 1864, he was promoted again, to first lieutenant and transferred to Company H of the same regiment. On March 30, 1865, he was promoted to captain and and apparently continued to serve as a captain when the 13th New York was combined with the 16th to form the 3rd New York Provisional Cavalry. The 3rd New York Provisional Cavalry was mustered out of service on September 21.

A William A. Revell, 38, appears in the 1880 census as a resident of New York City, working as a police sergeant and living with wife Anna, 42, a daughter and stepson; the Revells appear again in the 1900 census as residents of Brooklyn, the census record noting that the couple had been married for 36 years and had both immigrated to the United States in 1849. The census provides no occupation for William Revell, suggesting that he had retired by this time. The 1910 census shows Revell living in Watertown, Wisconsin with his second wife, Yetla. By the time he wrote the note in this collection, Revell seems to have been living in Oceanside, California. William A. Revell died in Sierra Madre, California, on May 7, 1924.

Scope and Content

The William A. Revell Note consists of a single envelope on which Revell has written a note referring to passages in J. C. Hadley's Memorial of Henry Sanford Gansevoort (1882). Written on both sides of a small envelope, Revell's note describes the wounding and capture of Confederate ranger Colonel John Singleton Mosby, at which Revell had been present as an officer in the 13th New York Cavalry. Specifically, Revell writes of his role in Mosby's capture and of the fates of Mosby's cloak and boots.

Separated Material

The William A. Revell Note had accompanied a copy of Memorial of Henry Sanford Gansevoort (E467.1 G19 H6 1875 Civil War Spec), inscribed to Revell by Catherine G. Lansing, Gansevoort's sister.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Civil War
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Rights Statement for Archival Desription

The guide to the William A. Revell Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).