8. BUFORD,
ABRAHAM (1820-84), Brig. Genl., CSA (KY). Vicksburg
campaign, Genl. Forrest's Cav. Corps campaigns. Clip Signature.
With glossy photo. Rare and elusive genl. XF. $650.00
21. GARNETT,
ROBERT S. (1819-61), Brig. Genl., CSA (VA). 1861 West Va. campaign
(KIA). First CSA genl. KIA. Huge prewar clip signature
with rank as Capt., 9th U.S. inf. Rare genl. XF. $1250.00
25A. HILL,
AMBROSE P. 1825-65). (VA). ANV campaigns incl. Gettysburg, KIA
Petersburg campaign (4/2/65). Large clip signature as 1st Lt., 1st Arty.
(pre-war). XF. With period book portrait engraving. Rare genl. $2,500.00
33. LEE,
ROBERT E. (1807-70), Genl., CSA. (VA). Legendary ANV Comdr. Field
usage cover with his signature “frank” at upper right
above C.S. 10¢ Davis stamp with an August (1864) pmk. of Richmond,
Va. “Frank” badly damaged when opened by addressee (Mrs.
Lee) tearing away most of signature incl. top of “R”,
most of “E” and “L” but leaving “Genl.” mostly
intact. Beautifully addressed to “Mrs. R.E. Lee/Dr. C.C. Cooke/Bremo
Bluff/Fluvanna Co./Virginia” by Genl. Lee incorportating his
autograph. Cover VF other than top right corner torn away by Mrs.
Lee when opening it. Only 16 postally used field covers recorded. Non-faulty ones range in the $5,500-$8,500 upwards for a single autographed
Lee field cover w/o stamps and more for those stamped. This does
have one superb autograph (incorporated) plus remnant of the other
(“frank”). Includes copy of original ALS of Lee to wife
headed Camp, Petersburg 8/18/64 with battle contents pert. to 6/14
and 6/25 actions plus family casulties. An opportunity to get a Lee
field usage at an economical price. $3,250.00
50. SEMMES,
PAUL J. (1815-63), Genl., CSA (GA). Peninsula campaign, Seven Pines,
Seven Days, Sharpsburg, Fredricksburg,Chancellorsville, Gettysburg
(MWIA at Round Tops). ALS, 8pp. (written as 16 pp.) approx. 7 1/2” x
12.” Camp near Ball’s Store, Peninsula of Va., 18 miles
from Richmond 5/13/62 to wife in dark ink with each page written
in double column format. Writes that he hopes for letters from wife,
that she will come to Richmond for a visit, thinks McClellan will
be whipped, need for more clothing, pay matters (Col.-$195.00
per month & a genl. $301.00), planting cotton, staff appts., 2nd
Ga. Inf. a demoralized regt., communicated with enemy via flag of truce,
McClellans role at Yorktown with arty., thoughts about defense of
Richmond, Yankees may reach there by water etc. Frontal page with
horiz. erosion (insect) thru one line o/w VF. Last page some marginal
writing & signs with initials as your affect hd. (husband). Rare
newsy ALS from a KIA genl. $2500.00.
110. TERRILL,
WILLIAM R. (1834-62), Brig. Genl, USA (VA). Shiloh, Corinth, 1862
Ky. campaign (KIA - Perryville). His brother, James B. Terrell was
a CSA genl. KIA near Cold Harbor 5/30/64. Truly a “brother’s
war.” ALS, 1-1/3pp., 4to., Washington (Tenn.) 2/18/58 to his
ill mother asking for her blessing on his betrothed Emily (D.) Henry
which she gave (she died 2 months later). He describes Emily as being
near his own age, a Christian, well-educated & “raised
to habits of industry & economy.” Signs as her son “William.” Accompanied
by a 2nd ALS from Emily to her sister detailing Terrell’s death
at Battle of Perrysville. Letter is ALS, 4pp., 8 vo., Locust Grove,
Md. 11/29/62. Writes that is was awful to learn the truth but “it
was ordered by one who ‘doeth all things well’ & must
have been for some purpose... he was wounded by a piece of
shell striking the left breast & mashing the ribs over the heart. He
was carried from the field to a farm house - the motion of the ambulance
caused a great deal of suffering,” easier when he got to the
house, Brig. surg. said the wound was mortal & then “Willie wanted
them to let me die on the field,” but a second surg. insisted he
be taken away, seemed William had been able to look into future and had
said lately “that he felt as if the next battle would be bring him
his death wounds.”, describes his burial site etc. Great letter with
information not readily known & coveted by the Perryville Battle Field
historic site. Both letters XF. Only second W.R. Terrill letter we have
had in all our years of business. $3250.00.
119.
5th ALA. INF./BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, officer’s
(Maj. Eugene Blackford) imprinted calling card with ms. “Capt.” & “5th
Ala” in ink. Frontis, verso with Blackford’s contemporary
notation in dark pencil pert. To Battle of Chancellorsville. Writes:
Sunday Morning” (May 3)“Went
into action, at 5 yesterday (May 2) evening, Rodes Div. drove the
enemy 2 ½ miles – from
their entrenchments, took cannon etc. My people opened the fight beautifully – were
complemented by Col. Comdg. Brigade.” Incl. xexof of letter
sent father 3/7/63 pert. to Battle & his role with Genl. Rodes plus,
background info from Robertson’s Stonewall Jackson book. Very rare
battlefield dated occurance relic From the Blackford family album. Probably
one of
a kind. XF. $1950.00.
126. HILLSBOROUGH,
N.C. COLLEGE COVER/25th N.C. INF. ALS, 4pp., 8vo., Camp Davis near
Wilmington, N.C. 10/15-16/61. Soldier (Curtis) writes about Yankee
vessels in sight near camp, stays away from beach due to Yankee ships,
Lt Col. Dearing (St. Clair) moved regt. down sound to see ships,
Maj. Rutledge (Henry) charged a bush pretending it was a
Yankee & while
giving it a cut while on horse cut his horse’s ear off but
sewed it back after returning to camp, possibility of new elections
as Cols. Clingman & Dearing plus Maj. Rutledge may resign etc.
with college cover depicting the military academy with flag flying.
Pmked with Wilmington, N.C. PAID 5 10/17/(61) CDS. Letter XF, cover
slight staining at top (not affecting college design) o/w F-VF. Scarce
$875.00.
135. LA. “TIGERS” EXECUTION/31ST
VA. INF. ALS, 2pp., Camp near Centerville, Va. 12/10/61. Soldier
(Bosworth) writes expecting visit from Yankees, “have everything
in readiness to receive them with “welcome hands & hospitable
graves,” how two of the La. Tigers “were placed on their
knees, their hands & feet tied behind them to a stake, blind
folded & 24 men shot (12 at each) & they were killed instantly.” The
crime was “for trying to kill an officer & desertion.” This
was a famous incident in the war & well written up in the book “Lee’s
Tigers.” This was the first military execution in the Army the Potomac
(later Army of Northern Va.) Much background info accompanies incl. soldiers’ ID,
how the Tigers bodies were found, exhumed & reburied at St. Johns Episcopal
Church in Centreville, Va. 12/9/79, forensic study of the fabric found
in the graves etc. Very historic letter. VF. $1550.00.
136. SENDING
LEE’S HAIR & AUTOGRAPHS/39TH VA. BN. CAV. ALS, 2 2/1 pp.,
4to., HQ, Army of Northern Va. 3/6/65. Soldier (Jones, a HQ clerk)
writes about sending Lee’s hair – has to visit his barber
to get the hair, Lee’s hair is short now, is looking strong & is
in good spirits, sending Genl. Order to Army etc. Soldier also sends
2 of Lees autographs (not present) along with the hair (also not
present). Great letter showing even Lee’s hair was being collected.
Beautifully written by one of the unit’s (served as
Lee’s
scouts & bodyguards) soldiers who served as clerk at Lee’s
HQ. XF. $575.00.
158. 44th
MASS. INF/BATTLE of WHITE HALL/HIT IN TESTICLES. ALS, 7pp.,
8vo., New Bern (NC) 2/16/63. Soldier (Jackson) discusses the Battle
of
White Hall, his wound & bizarre wound of a R.I. soldier. Writes the
Reb (who hit him) was a “tip top shot,” was wounded
in back, under heavy arty. fire, a R.I. soldier
was wounded by a spent minie in heel of his shoe which continued
between shoe & foot & then
ricocheted againset his shoe, giving it a rotary upward motion & spinning
when it reached his thigh, flew at an angle, hitting his testicles & entered
his left thigh just under the skin when it reached the breast & then
exited & flew wildly around in the air taking off his fingernails & piece
of his mustache. He said he was wounded all over & died later
that night. Moral-“Don’t go to war,” praises beer,
his wound was healed up, tells of capture of 17th N.C Inf. Rebel
who praises unit for White Hall action etc. with postally used cover.VF & highly
unusual WIA ltr. $365.00.
166. ATLANTIC
CAMPAIGN/DEATH OF
YOUNG SOLDIER/107th NY INF. ALS, 8pp., 8vo., Camp, 107th
NY Vols., near Dallas, Ga. 6/1/64. Writer (Henry Drake – a
fighting sutler of the unit) describes events of past month.
Begins with leaving Selbyville (Tenn.) and overtaking main army at
Tunnel Hill where “Rebs
on the run.” Rebs then withdrew to Buzzard
Roost but flanked them out of stronghold, withdrew to Resaca where
Federals “whipped
them, they leaving their KIA and WIA in our hands,” retreated
to Cassville and then to Dallas where he is writing letter
on a plate on his lap, fight at Dallas with 179 KIA and WIA in Regt. incl. a
young soldier (Wm. E. Vanauken) with whom Drake had an unhealthy
relationship (transcripts of other letters not present with details
on soldier’s death [shot in hand, arm and between his
eyes by a grapeshot]). Drake confesses he stayed with him day and night
and loved and thought too much of him – that being one of his
weak points. Describes burial of soldier who had been robbed
of everything inc. a ring from his finger Drake had given him, how
he had been
thrown in a “hole with 2 other men…” but Drake
had him reburied properly, regt. now in line of battle in shape of
a horseshoe with McPherson on right and Schofield on left, have 500
pieces of arty. “ready and playing most of time…” etc. With
CDV photo of Drake. Great grouping. XF. $1200.00.
172. 95th
OHIO INF./BATTLE OF FORT PILLOW/NEGROES BUTCHERED/FORREST. ALS, 10pp.,
8vo., on picket near Memphis, Tenn. 4/14/64 to girlfriend. Soldier
(Maitland) writes about Fort Pillow (75 miles from Memphis),
has fallen to Rebels, Forrest with a force of 4-5000 attacked it
(4/12/64),
Union force “nearly all negroes” consisted of 600-700
men, nearly 1.2 killed during fight, Col. Comdg. (Wm. Bradford) captured,
remainder also captured, Rebels “have a particular dislike
for negro soldiers, they fell to & butchered them in cold blood
after taking possession of the fort,” One of Union transports
(Golden Age) sunk, boxes of provisions & mail missing & presumed
captured incl. mail from female recipient of his letters, force to
be sent out with gunboats to break blockade & repossess fort,
expects next raid by Forrest to be on Memphis, Col. McMillen told
Genl. Buckland that he could recapture fort but writer does not think
that would be feasible, describes dinner (cold beef, dry break, hot
coffee), southern (Tenn.) ladies try to pass the lines but could
not w/o pass from Genl. Buckland, writer said they were expecting
Forrest & had rations prepared for him, ladies said they did
not know him but did some of his men, thought their good looks would
pass them thru but “no go”, returned to camp to learn
Ft. Pillow evacuated by Rebels, boats can pass unmolested, troop
reinforcements in area & Forrest would get “warm welcome” if
he returned, boxes (damaged) arrived, speech by Col. McMillen, had
picture taken, will send one etc. Great battle action, ltr. from
one of war’s most notorious incidents. First Fort Pillow battle
letter we have had in all out years (25 +) of dealing. XF. $1150.00.
173. 95th
OHIO INF./FORRESTS MEMPHIS RAID ALS, 8pp., 8vo., Camp near Memphis,
Tenn. 8/21/64 to girlfriend. Soldier (Maitland) writes about the
Rebel attack under Forrest on Memphis when his men learned that nearly
all the force there had left on a expedition & were determined
to release some POWs there in the Irving Block (prison) & plunder
some of the “rich stores,” they made a sudden “dash” & nearly
accomplishing their ends, some 300 dashed into town, formed line
of battle on Main St. & went to plunder the stores, also surrounded
the Gayoso Hosp. & took some of the men POW, then made for the
Irving Block to release the POWS there but failed as the Provost
Guard met them & a sharp fight ensured, were driven out & the
militia & other troops are in pursuit, came very close to capturing
Genls. Buckland & Washburn, was one of the most daring exploits
of the War, made the attack before daylight & took all by surprise,
was called out this afternoon & issued ammunition but there was
no occasion to use it, religious & personal matters, attended
concert by Marine Band, attended by many of the “Fair Sex” but
too much “Paint & Powder” to suit his taste, etc.
Famous incident in war. With postally used cover. XF. $650.00.
182. BATTLE
OF ANTIETAM/128th PA. INF. ALS, 4pp., approx. 7” x 9”,
Camp in field near Harpers Ferry 9/21/62. Soldier (Taylor) writes
sister pert. to Battle of Antietam in dark pen. Relates how “Our
Regt. was in the hottest of the battle and we were fired on both
sides by the enemy. We had been marching ever since I last wrote
you and on Tuesday night we were marched to within a short distance
of the enemy’s line which we reached about 1 o’clock
in the morning. We were very tired and hungry. About daylight we
were formed in line of battle and marched to the battlefield. Our
Col. was killed before we had made a charge I believe and then we
carried on. Then they proved to be the Texas Rangers, we drove them
through a field and then through a cornfield. It is said that they
were never drove before. When we got in the cornfield they had crossfire
on us and we were cut up awful. Our boys fell thick there. Josey
Merrick fell by my side, he was shot through the head and died instantly.
He never knew what hurt him. I did not know he was shot until I looked
around and saw the blood running. The bullets was falling like hail
around me. I did not think of being killed until after Josey was
killed. I threw my arms around him and the bullets was whizzing around
my head much like bees and I looked around and could not see anyone
to help me carry him off, so I thought I had better live. I cannot
but think that is was an angel that guided me from the place.” Writes
that regt. was scattered all over & their capt. had his
pistol stuck with a ball which saved his life, also had 2 or 3 balls
through
his coat but was not hurt. Taylor took care of the wounded thru the
night, their company lost most men (5 KIA, 18 WIA) in regt., a soldier’s
life is a hard one, old soldiers say “it was the hardest fight
that there has been yet” went out next morning to the field
to find Josey & “it made me shudder to see the place that
we had been in the day before. The men lay thick there just where
I was.” Etc. VF-XF. $1550.00.
198A. BAYONETED & KIA
PORT HUDSON/128th N.Y. INF. DS, 1 1/3pp., 4to., (Dept. of Gulf) 2/2/63.
Signed by Col. David Cowles as Comdg. Regt. two - wheel ambulance & horse
equipment. Cowles was killed “by a bayonet thrust while
attackeing the fort” (Port Hudson) 5/27/63. One of few officers klled
in this way. XF $110.00.
226. CSA $500 NOTE. “Stonewall” Jackson, flags,
equestrian statue of Washington. 1864. T-64. UNC. $750.00. |