Pierpont, Francis Harrison (1814-1899) to Egbert L. Viele
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02467.19 Author/Creator: Pierpont, Francis Harrison (1814-1899) Place Written: Wheeling, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 July 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 17.7 x 18 cm. Order a Copy
Pierpont writes to General Viele (spelled "Velie"), military governor of Norfolk, Virginia. Encloses a letter for Colonel Watson of Portsmouth, Virginia, "who is engaged in raising a Virginia regiment for U.S. Service" (letter not included). Written on Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Department, Wheeling, Virginia stationery.
When Virginia seceded, Pierpont served as the leader of the disaffected Unionist forces in the western part of the state, and was elected head of the government set up by the Wheeling Convention of June, 1861. He was never Governor of West Virginia, but served as the Unelected Military Governor of Virginia 1865- April 1868.
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