ALS: "There is a man staying at the Union Hotel by the name of Sinclair who says he has been discharged from the Northern Army ..."

Autograph Letter Signed: "Wm Hay" to "Col Botts" Winchester, [Virginia], probably November 12, 1861. Single sheet measuring 8 inches by 10 inches folded to form 4 pages (2 blank), approximately 54 words on the recto recorded in ink in Hay's hand, docketed in another hand on the verso (approximately 17 words) & addressed to "Lt Col Botts, PM" in Hay's hand.

Old folds, soiled & stained (partially obscuring a portion of the docket text), moderately soiled, modest edge wear, otherwise Good.

Addressing Lawson Botts, William Hay relays his concerns about a stranger in town:
"Col Botts -
Dear Sir -
There is a man / staying at the Union Hotel / by the name of Sinclair who / says he has been discharged from / the Northern Army - he has the / appearance of a story hunting / man & I think he is a suspicious / character
 Very truly yrs,
 Wm Hay
 Winchester 12th, 11(?), 61"(?) [probably November 12, 1861]

Docketed on the verso:

"Winchester, Va 12 __?__ / Wm Hay Doctor at / Sinclair staying / at the Union / Hotel discharged / from Federal Army"

Given the inclusion of "Doctor" in the docket, the writer is quite probably Confederate Surgeon William Hay who was a member of the antebellum Clarke Rifles, later Company C, 2nd Virginia Regiment, Stonewall Brigade. In the fall of 1861, he assumed duties as surgeon in the 33rd Virginia Regiment and was placed in charge of the hospital at Staunton. in the summer of 1862 Lawson Botts (1825 - 1862) was captain of Botts Grays, an antebellum Virginia militia in Charlestown. After the outbreak of war, the Grays became Company G, 2nd Virginia Infantry, one of the units that comprised the famous Stonewall Brigade. Botts was commissioned Major in June, 1861, Lieutenant Colonel in September, 1861, & Colonel in June, 1862 He was Provost Marshall in Winchester from November, 1861 to March, 1862. Botts was killed in action at the Battle of 2nd Manassas on August 28, 1862.