[CIVIL WAR]. OVERTON, P. N. Autograph Letter Signed, Richmond, 10 November 1862. One 4to page on one ruled light blue 4to leaf. Approximately 238 x 185 mm. Addressed “Col Parrish Dear Sir” to Colonel Valentine Parrish (1796-1880). Two vertical and three horizontal creases, paper worn, soiled at margins, one tear at upper right corner with tape repair to verso wherein the residue is visible (there are two tape repairs on verso, only one is visible on recto), a few small chips to creases. In this letter, Overton tells Col. Parrish that he will be transporting twenty slaves to him and stay with them, apparently in compliance with the “Twenty Negro Law” enacted by the Confederate Congress in 1862. “I have twenty of the Cumberland Hands with me that were sent down with Mr. Booker your boy Elick is in the lot if those that own hands under me will pay me two Dollars a head per month I will remain with them until their time is out & do the best I can for them. I will come up with the lot that I brought down on next Wensday [sic] or Thirsday [sic] weak [sic] their time will then be up. I will give you the names of these of the last lot…” He then lists the names of the slave owners and their slaves, in part: “W. Wilson Bob & Cilley / Wm. Walker Dick & Nathin [sic] / Mrs. Hughs Harrison / H. Johnson’s Daniel / Mrs. F. Woodfin Squir [sic] / B. Parmer Chester…” The “Twenty Negro Law” was passed as part of the Second Conscription Act of 1862 by the Confederate Congress; it was enacted in an attempt to prevent slave uprisings while white overseers were conscripted into the Confederate Army. For every twenty slaves on a plantation, one white overseer was exempt from military service in an effort to control the slaves and prevent uprisings. This law was very unpopular with the rank and file poor white soldiers in the Confederate Army who couldn’t afford slaves and yet were forced to serve.