The Lawson Botts papers consist of Civil War papers, including:
Lawson Botts (1825-1862) was a Confederate officer who served with the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1825 to Thomas Hutchinson Botts and Anne Carter Willis. Botts entered VMI in 1841 and spent two years there, resigning before graduation because of his father's ill health. He subsequently studied law and established a practice in Charles Town, [West] Virginia prior to the Civil War. In 1859, he served as one of the lawyers assigned to defend the abolitionist John Brown. Botts married Elizabeth Bibb Ranson (1829-1909) in January 1851 and the couple had four sons (Thomas, James, Lawson, and Robert), and one daughter who died in infancy.
In 1859 Botts became Captain of a volunteer company known as the "Botts Grays." When the Civil War began, this unit entered the service of Virginia as Company G, 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, and was one of the units that comprised the famous Stonewall Brigade. Botts was commissioned as a Major in June 1861 and became a Colonel in June 1862. He was praised for his conduct during several battles, including First Kernstown, First Winchester, Gaines's Mill, and Cedar Mountain.
Botts was mortally wounded in action at 2nd Manassas (Virginia) on August 28, 1862 and died on September 11 of that year. He is buried at Zion Episcopal Church Cemetery, Charles Town, West Virginia. His half-brother, Walter Browne Botts, was a member of the VMI Class of 1854. His father, Thomas H. Botts, served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1839 to 1845.
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Lawson Botts papers, 1861-1862. MS 0064. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
A receipt for five hundred ball cartridges.
Received of Capt. Botts (Company G.) five hundred ball cartridges
May 10th - 1861. J. W. Allen
Col. 1st Infantry
Adjutant & Inspector General's Office
Richmond Sept 12. 1861
Sir:
I have the honor to enclose herewith your commission and order. You will report accordingly to General J. E. Johnston Commanding Army of Potomac.
Very Respectfully
Yr. obt. Serv't
Geo. Deas
Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Lawson Botts' commission and order.
Special Order 276 that promotes Major Lawson Botts to a Lieutenant Colonel with the 2nd Virginia Regiment.
Adjutant & Inspector Genl's Office
Richmond Sept 12. 1861
Special Order
No 276
Major Lawson Botts is promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel Virginia Volunteer, and assigned to duty with the 2nd Virginia Regiment serving with the Army of the Potomac, and will report accordingly.
By order
Geo. Deas
A.A.G.
General Order 13, which relieves Lawson Botts from the 2nd Virginia Regiment and orders him to assume the duties of Provost Marshall of the town of Winchester, Virginia.
Head Quarters Valley Dis'c
November 18th 1861
General Orders
No. 13
Lt. Col. Lawson Botts is relieved from his position in the 2nd Regt. Va. Vols. and is ordered to assume the duties of Provost Marshall of the town of Winchester
By Command of
Maj. Gen. Jackson
A.H. Jackson A.A. Gen'l
In the letter, Lawson Botts is requesting fifteen days of furlough. The back of the letter contains signatures related to the furlough approval process.
[front]
Major A.H. Jackson
Sir,
I desire a furlough for fifteen days. My whole business both as a lawyer & guardian of three wards is in a very unsettled condition & needs my undivided attention. I also desire to visit my family. Of course I should hold myself ready to return sooner should the public safety require.
Respectfully
Lawson Botts
Lt. Col. 2 Regt Va. Vols.
[back]
Ungers Store
Jany 11 1862
_______________
Lawson Botts
Lt. Col. 2 Regt Va.
_______________
Application for a furlough for 15 days
_______________
Approved & Rept'y forwarded
J.W. Allen
Col. 2 Regt.
Respectfully forwarded
R.B.[?] Garnett [or Garrett?]
Brig. Genl.
Commd'g
Approved
By command of
Maj. Genl. Jackson
A.H. Jackson
Written from the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment headquarters. The letter regards a shortage of rations and tired troops.
Head Qrs 2nd Reg Va Vols.
May 22nd 1862
Capt.
I have received your circular ordering Reveille at 2 ½ AM & the Brigade to move at 4, with cooked rations for three days. This circular I had copied & sent to the companies of the Regt. I immediately called upon the commissary of the Regt. to know if he could issue, at once, rations for three days. He replied that he had no rations, except flour for one day, that the beef cattle escaped from the Brigade Commissary last night & had not yet been found. He added that the commissary was making efforts to procure bacon. As the Commandant of the Regt., I deem it my duty to state that the men are much fatigued by the constant marches they have recently made & need rest, that, were it possible to issue the rations, at once, it would be impossible for the men, with the limited supply of cooking utensils, to cook them & ob-tain any rest tonight. This loss of rest, followed by a forced march tomorrow would so exhaust them as to hazard the hard-earned reputation of the Regiment. I make this representation reluctantly & without consultation with any of the officers of the Regt. If it be an error, it is mine, not theirs. The Regt. will move at the appointed hour.
Respectfully-
Lawson Botts
Lt. Col. Com'd 2nd Rg. Va. Vols.
Capt. Jno [Geo?] F. O'brien
A.A.G. 1st Brigade