Library Book from Civil War Finally Returned After 145 Years

In Richmond, VA at Washington and Lee University, a missing library book entitled "History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France From the Year 1807 to the Year 1814," that was stolen during the Civil War, was returned, nearly 145 years after it was stolen.  The 1842 book was originally taken when Union soldier C. S. Gates snatched the book in 1864.  The theft occurred when the Army of West Virginia troops raided the college and looted items from the school and surrounding area.

At some point, Gates had written inside of the book "This book was taken from the Military Institute at Lexington Virginia in June 1864 when General Hunter was on his Lynchburg raid.  The Institution was burned by the order of General Hunter. The remains of General Stonewall Jackson rest in the cemetery at this place."  Confederate General Robert E. Lee later became the president of Washington College after the war ended in 1865 and the school was renamed Washington and Lee University.

The book was returned by Mike Dau of Illinois, who had inherited the book through an estate of his former college friends that were somehow related to Gates.  It's a good thing the library didn't charge an overdue book fee.

Comments

[Steve]

That video brings back some good memories. Great story. Keep them coming.