A book stolen from the Washington College library by a Union soldier in 1864 has been returned by a descendant of the pilferer.

A note Gates inscribed in the book reads: “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 Gen. Hunter. The remains of Gen. Stonewall Jackson rest in the cemetery at this place.”

The rest is here.

Speaking as a librarian, when a book’s been gone a few years, I’m just glad to get it back without quibbling about fines.