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A great business card presented by the color bearer of the 13th Viriginia Cavalry.  William B. Harrison was selling fire insurance when he had these cards made but he was very proud of his service as color bearer in the 13th Viriginia Cavalry, Army of Northern Virginia.  The card is approximately 3 7/8 inches by 2 3/8 inches.  A Confederate battle flag and a third national flag are in the center of the card.  Written on the card is "April 1861 - Prince George C.H. - April 1865 - Appomattox - W.B. Harrison - Color Bearer 13th Va. Cavalry - Petersburg, Va. - Fire Insurance".  The card has some discolorization on the right side with a tear in the discolorization. 

 

William B. Harrison mustered in the 5th Virginia Cavalry in April 1861.  He was promoted to 2nd sergeant  of the 13th Viriginia Cavalry in 1862.  In the "Confederate Veteran" magazine, volume 32 (1924) William talks about his days as color bearer.

 

Dear Comrade,

 

I have read with very much interest your account of Stuart's cavalry at Gettysburg, Pa., July 3, 1863.  In this account of W.H.F. Lee's  command, you refer to the charge which Major Newhall made direct attack on the colors.

 

"The 13th Virginia Cavalry made this charge and Major Newhall led a squadron, attempting to attack us on our right, and made for the colors.  I was color bearer of the 13th Virginia Cavalry, and defended the colors with my lance, and struck Newhall in the mouth, dismounting him.  On releasing my lance blade, I made a thrust at his orderly and caught him in the stomach, dismounting him.

 

"Major Newhall was sent to Atlantic City and recovered.  Later he rejoined his command, and in 1864 was drowned in the Rappahannock River, above Fredericksburg.

 

This is one of the few occurances where both parties in personal conflict were later identified.  I am now living in Petersburg, Va., and will be eighty-two years old next December, am in good health, and at my office nearly every day in the year.

 

I have been a regular subscriber to the "Veteran" since it's first publication, and read all your contributions to this magazine with a great deal of pleasure. 

 

Yours very truly,

 

William B. Harrison,

Color Bearer 13th Virginia Cavalry, W.H.F. Lee's Division.

 

Harrison was also Camp Commander of the A.P. Hill Confederate Veteran Camp in Petersburg, Virginia.