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John Castelli Rathbone, Colonel, Civil War Letter and Parole Pledge, 1862 A&M 3781

John Castelli Rathbone, Colonel, Civil War Letter and Parole Pledge, 1862 A&M 3781


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West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center

Repository
West Virginia and Regional History Center
Identification
A&M 3781
Title
John Castelli Rathbone, Colonel, Civil War Letter and Parole Pledge 1862
URL:
https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/196299
Quantity
0.01 Linear Feet, Summary: 2 pages (1 folder)
Creator
Rathbone, John Castelli
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Single leaf with two documents on front and back (recto and verso) respectively. On one side is an apparently unsent letter authored by Colonel John Castelli Rathbone, 11th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, from Spencer (West) Virginia to the commanding officer at Ravenswood, (West) Virginia, dated 2 September 1862. Rathbone urgently requests reinforcements against an expected attack by Confederate cavalry. The verso is a "true copy" of the parole pledge signed by Rathbone and other members of his unit after their surrender to Confederate General Albert G. Jenkins, dated 2 September 1862. Rathbone's unit was captured during Jenkins' Raid on western Virginia. See historical note for further information concerning Colonel Rathbone.

Administrative Information

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No special access restriction applies.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], John Castelli Rathbone, Colonel, Civil War Letter and Parole Pledge, A&M 3781, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

John Castelli Rathbone, or "Cass Rathbone" as he was better known, joined the 11th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry 29 October 1861. He was promoted to the rank of colonel 15 February 1862. His troops, lacking sufficient arms and other supplies, were attacked by Confederate General Albert G. Jenkins and his troops at Spencer, (West) Virginia on 2 September 1862. Rathbone was compelled to surrender to Jenkins and he and his troops were taken prisoner. Rathbone was paroled later that year.

Rathbone was dismissed from the service 7 January 1863 for cowardly conduct. Rathbone's dismissal is remarkable, as it was done without a court martial or even an explication of the charges against him. His dismissal was eventually revoked by President Andrew Johnson on 18 May 1866. However, Rathbone's reputation never recovered.

Before joining the Union army Rathbone had been the founder and operator of the oil fields at Burning Springs, (West) Virginia. He argued persistently for the importance of the oil fields, but was largely ignored by his superiors. Burning Springs was destroyed on 9 May 1863 by Confederate Brigadier General William E. Jones.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Civil War - Union soldiers - West Virginia.
  • Civil War - WV 11th. Inf.
  • Civil War - West Virginia 11th Infantry.
  • Civil War - West Virginia.
  • Civil War - raids and raiders.
  • Civil War -- Jenkins, Albert G. Brigade
  • Jenkins, Albert Gallatin, 1830-1864
  • Rathbone, John Castelli
  • Roane County (W. Va.)
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Jenkins, Albert Gallatin, 1830-1864
  • Rathbone, John Castelli
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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Roane County (W. Va.)
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
  • United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons
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