Governor Letcher loved the Union deeply, and his voice
was raised for moderation, conciliation, and for peace; but,
when Virginia severed her bonds from the government she
had so largely helped to establish, then her loyal Governor
stood by her side. Bravely did he fulfill his duty. Every
energy was devoted to the cause; and for nearly three years
he controlled the war policy of the State, and was a strong
support to the Southern Confederacy. During the war his
home was burned, but when hostilities had ceased, and the
white dove of peace had settled on the land, Governor Letcher,
emancipated from prison, where he had for several months
been confined by the Federal authorities, returned to Lexington,
and sought to build anew his shattered fortunes. In
1875 he was elected to the House of Delegates, and in 1876,
whilst in attendance upon the Assembly, was suddenly
stricken with paralysis. He passed peacefully away at Lexington,
January 26th, 1884, closing a valuable life, crowned
with the love and esteem of his fellow-citizens. A joint
resolution of respect to his memory was passed by the
General Assembly, then in session, from which the following
is an extract, viz.:
"Through a life-time covering the most eventful period in the history
of Virginia, the great powers of his mind and the warm affections of his
heart were devoted with constant faithfulness and energy to the service of
his State and Country. As a representative of Virginia in the Congress of
the United States, as her Governor in the most trying epoch of her history,
he won the love and admiration of her people, and a place in that history,
where his name will live as long as unswerving honesty in the administration
of public trust and great ability, wisdom and patriotism in the
discharge of official duty, shall be honored among men."
He left a widow and seven children to mourn his loss.
A portrait of Governor Letcher adorns the State Library
at Richmond, Virginia.
