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American Civil War |
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1. NATHANIEL P. BANKS (1816-1894). |
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| US Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts, Union Major-General during the Civil War. Captured Port Hudson in 1863, earning the thanks of Congress. Signed card, "Nath’l P. Banks, Waltham, 22 August ‘88, Mass." $85.00 | |||
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2. NATHANIEL P. BANKS (1816-1894). | ||
| US Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts, Union Major-General during the Civil War. Captured Port Hudson in 1863, earning the thanks of Congress. Letter written and signed by Banks recommending a man for the position of gas engineer at the Boston Post Office Building. Nice example of late nineteenth century political networking. Dated January 27, 1877 at Washington, DC. Great condition, and signed “N. P. Banks.” $175.00 | |||
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3. P. G. T. BEAUREGARD (1818-1893). |
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| Louisiana native, West Point graduate and instructor. Important Confederate general, victor of the First Battle of Bull Run, in command of the forces that fired on Fort Sumter. Signed check of the Mutual Bank of New Orleans for $40.00, dated November 4, 1879. $550.00 | |||
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4. AUGUSTUS W. BRADFORD (1805-1881). | ||
| AUGUSTUS W. BRADFORD (1805-1881). Unionist Governor of Maryland during the Civil War. In July of 1864, Confederate raiders burned his house. Engraved check drawn on the National Mechanics Bank of Baltimore for $16.25, payable to “R. & W. H. Cathcart.” Dated November 7, 1875. Decorated with an attractive engraving of a Greek female figure with spear and helmet, and signed “A.W. Bradford.” $85.00 | |||
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5. THOMAS BRAGG (1810-1872). | ||
| Governor of North Carolina, Confederate Attorney General during the Civil War, brother of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. Signature cut from a document, “Thos. Bragg” as NC Governor. $145.00 | |||
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6. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER (1818-1893). | ||
| Union general, Massachusetts politician, known to the South as “Beast Butler” for his harsh rule of occupied New Orleans. He played an active role in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Handwritten letter concerning legal matters, discussing the merits of a particular case. Addressed to US Attorney Sidney DeKay in New York, and dated April 23, 1872. Signed “B.F. Butler.” $190.00 | |||
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7. TWO CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS' LETTERS. | ||
| Letters from two brothers serving in the Union Army to their mother, Lydia Browne in Waltham, Massachusetts. 1. CHARLES BROWNE. No date, from a camp near Falmouth, Virginia. His regiment is not specifically identified, but it is apparently part of the “ever-brave 1st Brigade, Hooker’s old Division.” Charles optimistically remarks that the men “expect to move soon – We are going to win this time.” 2. GEORGE BROWNE. Dated November 10, 1864, from Warrington Junction, Virginia. Mentions 120th New York Infantry and the 6th Ohio Cavalry. Discusses route of march from Manassas, Bristoe Station, and Warrington Junction, as well as the Rebel retreat toward Culpepper. An interesting pair of letters from two Massachusetts brothers. $160.00 SOLD | |||
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8. CIVIL WAR CIVILIAN LETTER. | ||
| William Hubbard of Pennsylvania writes to his sister and brother, dated October 11, 1863. A chatty, opinionated letter containing scathing criticism of the Northern “Copperhead” Democrats, who are credited by Hubbard with prolonging the war. “They are worse than any Rebel,” Hubbard writes, and opines that Jefferson Davis would be preferable to a Democrat as governor of Pennsylvania! Also includes news of the “Baily Boys,” apparently local lads, of whom one has deserted, one has been captured and imprisoned, and another had been wounded and honorably discharged. SOLD | |||
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9. (CONFEDERATE STATESMEN). |
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| Clipped signatures on one piece of paper of two significant Confederate statesmen: Signed first by JUDAH P. BENJAMIN (1811-1884), Highly capable cabinet officer know as the “Brains of the Confederacy.” He served as Attorney General, Secretary of War, and finally Secretary of State, in which capacity he secured numerous foreign loans for the CSA, without succeeding in obtaining foreign recognition. Also signed by JOHN SLIDELL (1793-1871), Confederate Commissioner to Europe whose seizure, along with James M. Mason, from the British mail steamer “Trent” caused an international incident during the Civil War. He spent the war years trying to gain aid and recognition for the Confederacy in Paris. He never returned to the US after the Civil War. A great little souvenir of the Confederate government signed by two of its most prominent members. $325.00 | |||
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10. DRAKE DE KAY (1836-1886). |
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| Union officer, breveted Lieutenant-Colonel for gallantry. De Kay served on the staffs of Generals Mansfield, Pope, and Hooker during the Civil War. Partially printed pass from the Headquarters of the Military Department of Washington, dated August 6, 1861, just a few weeks after the First Battle of Bull Run, allowing passage "over the bridges & within the lines" of defense of Washington, DC. On the reverse is a printed loyalty oath that includes "and if ever hereafter found in arms against the Union, or in any way aiding her enemies, the penalty will be death." Signed on the front by De Kay as aide-de-camp with his famously enormous signature - the signature alone measures 1½" by 6"! De Kay’s colossal autograph was well-remembered by many people moving within the capital boundaries during the early days of the war. "That fearful signature," one contemporary journalist wrote, " could be read as far away as the Sandwich Islands." Professionally de-acidified and backed. $265.00 | |||
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11. DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT (1801-1870). | ||
| Civil War naval hero, first U.S. Admiral, victor of the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he uttered his famous line "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Original copy of General Orders concerning the sending of requisitions within the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Signed as Rear Admiral, "D. G. Farragut." $375.00 | |||
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12. DAVID GLASGOW FARRAGUT (1801-1870). | ||
| Civil War naval hero, first U.S. Admiral, victor of the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he uttered his famous line "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Manuscript document written aboard Farragut’s famous flagship the USS Hartford, off the port of Mobile, less then two months before the pivotal Battle of Mobile Bay. Dated June 13, 1864, the letter concerns Acting 3rd Assistant Engineer Edward A. Homan, sick in the Pensacola Hospital, and advises him that having been “Condemned” by a Medical Survey, he is detached from service and ordered North. Signed “D.G. Farragut” as Rear Admiral. Includes two turn-of-the-century Pension Office stamps, where this record was no doubt retained to support Homan’s pension claims. Includes a beautiful 19th century engraved portrait of Farragut, perfect for framing. $925.00 | |||
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13. ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885). | ||
| General-in-Chief commanding the Union armies during the Civil War, 18th President of the United States. Huge 17" by 21" printed membership certificate for The Society of the Army of the Potomac for Lt. V. Lansing Waters, formerly of the 4th New York Heavy Artillery during the Civil War. Signed by Grant as president of the Society. Archivally framed with a portrait of Grant, ready to hang. $2800.00 | |||
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14. WILLIAM E. “GRUMBLE” JONES (1824-1864). | ||
| Confederate Cavalry General, succeeded J.E.B. Stuart as Colonel of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. A notoriously contentious, discipline-minded officer, he was killed in action in 1864. Great oversized accounting document concerning an amount due Jones from the United States in his capacity as Acting Assistant Commissary of Subsistence for the Regiment of Mounted Rifles stationed in Fort Merrill, Texas. Dated December 31, 1852, and signed “W. E. Jones.” $195.00 | |||
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15. WILLIAM E. “GRUMBLE” JONES (1824-1864). |
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| Confederate Cavalry General, succeeded J.E.B. Stuart as Colonel of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. A notoriously contentious, discipline-minded officer, he was killed in action in 1864. Check drawn on Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Bank of Philadelphia for $26.00, dated March 30, 1860. Signed “W. E. Jones.” $295.00 | |||
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16. FREDERICK T. LOCKE. | ||
| Soldier, Assistant Adjutant General on the staffs of Generals Meade, Warren, Sykes and others during the Civil War. Promoted brevet brigadier-general in 1865 for gallantry at the Battle of Five Forks. Hastily written battlefield message, “Gen. Crawford Comg. 3 Div., Gen., the Maj. Gen. Comg. does not care how you come, so long as you close up on the 2nd division. He desires you keep well closed up in the column. Very respectfully, Your obt. svt. Fred T. Locke A.A.G.” Undated, but Brigadier-General Samuel W. Crawford commanded the 3rd Division of the 5th Corps during the Gettysburg campaign. A very scarce battlefield message - most such communications were immediately discarded. SOLD | |||
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17. JOHN BANKHEAD MAGRUDER (1807-1871). | ||
| Confederate General whose sense of style and luxuriant taste earned him the nickname “Prince John.” After the Civil War, he led a small band of ex-Confederates into self-imposed exile in Mexico, not returning to the United States until 1867. Signature on paper, “J. Bankhead Magruder,” with his pre-war rank of Captain in the 1st US Artillery. Also included is a carte-de-visite bust portrait of Magruder in what appears to be a militia major-general’s uniform, by E. & H. T. Anthony of New York. $295.00 | |||
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18. WILLIAM MAHONE (1826-1895). | ||
| Confederate Major-General, famous for his defense at the Battle of the Crater in 1864. Involved in Virginia railroads before and after the Civil War, he was politically active as a Republican in the post-war era. Beautiful, colorful engraved stock certificate of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Company. Signed “William Mahone” as president. | |||
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19. JAMES M. MASON (1798-1871). | ||
| Senator from Virginia, Confederate emissary to Great Britain. His seizure from aboard the British mail steamer "Trent" by the Union Navy during the Civil War precipitated an international diplomatic incident, "The Trent Affair." Letter in Mason’s hand to E. T. Montague asking for a copy of the report of the Senate Select Committee on the John Brown Raid of 1859, which frightened the South and galvanized Southern resistance to Northern interference with the institution of slavery. Dated October 28, 1860, just days before the election that elevated Lincoln to the presidency and sparked the Civil War. Signed "J. M. Mason." Mason was a strong Southern-rights Congressman, and probably wanted the report for its propaganda value, especially as he asks Montague to send "20 or 30 copies" if the report has been printed. Significantly, Mason directs that a copy be sent to Edmund Ruffin of Virginia, one of the arch-firebrands of the secessionist movement, who had been present at Brown’s hanging and later claimed to have fired the first shot of the war at Fort Sumter. An interesting and important letter, offering a rare glimpse into the climactic machinations of the secessionist activists who gave birth to the Confederate States of America. $1550.00 | |||
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20. JOHN TYLER MORGAN (1824-1907). | ||
| Confederate Cavalry General during the Civil War. At the close of the war, he was involved with the Confederacy’s last-ditch efforts to recruit and train black troops. Later served as US Senator. Manuscript letter on Senate stationery notifying the Senate Postmaster of his Summer address and requesting his mail be forwarded. Dated August 11, 1898, and signed “Jno Morgan.” $225.00 | |||
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21. DAVID DIXON PORTER (1813-1891). | ||
| Union admiral and squadron commander. The second US admiral, after David G. Farragut, he received Congressional commendations several times during the Civil War. Superintendent of the Naval Academy 1865-1869. Son of War of 1812 hero David Porter. Two-page document dated July 1, 1869, giving Commander John G. Walker of the USS Sabine his sailing orders, with provision for allowing his midshipmen to disembark to take their Naval Academy exams for promotion. Also signed by the Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard, JOHN RODGERS (1812-1882), scion of an illustrious American Navy family, Naval officer during the Civil War, senior US Navy Rear-admiral at the time of his death. $390.00 | |||
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22. DAVID DIXON PORTER (1813-1891). | ||
| Union admiral and squadron commander. The second US admiral, after David G. Farragut, he received Congressional commendations several times during the Civil War. Superintendent of the Naval Academy 1865-1869. Son of War of 1812 hero David Porter. Brief note in Porter’s own hand, marked “Private.” The only date is “Sunday Evening.” Cryptic content concerning a report that should be made, and signed “Yours in Haste, David D Porter.” $225.00 | |||
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23. FITZ-JOHN PORTER (1822-1901). | ||
| Union Major-General and Corps commander. Interesting and significant letter written and signed by Porter, dated January 11, 1898, and addressed to former Confederate General Marcus J. Wright. In his letter, Porter asks Wright to show to former Confederate General James Longstreet Porter’s earlier letter concerning the Second Battle of Bull Run. Wright was selected by the War Department in 1878 to supervise the gathering of Confederate records for publication in the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Porter was tried and cashiered for alleged failure to obey orders at Second Bull Run. He strove for years to clear his name, finally succeeding in having the sentence overturned by President Chester A. Arthur in 1882. A fascinating item. $750.00 | |||
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24. FITZ-JOHN PORTER (1822-1901). | ||
| Distinguished veteran of the Mexican War, Union Major-General and corps commander. He was the victim of one of the most grievous miscarriages of justice during the Civil War, when he was cashiered for his actions at the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was cleared of wrongdoing in 1878 and reinstated by special act of Congress in 1886. Manuscript ordnance invoice from West Point, dated October 26, 1850, and signed twice by Porter, since he has written out a postscript at the bottom and signed that as well. Two strong signatures and the early West Point association make this a particularly interesting document. $290.00 | |||
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25. HORACE PORTER (1837-1921). | ||
| Union General, aide-de-camp to General US Grant during the Civil War. Later US Ambassador to France. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his Civil War service, his memoir “Campaigning with Grant” is one of the best sources on the war’s final battles. Beautifully engraved, unissued stock certificate of the Pullman Palace Car Company, signed “Horace Porter” as company president. $185.00 | |||
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26. WILLIAM RADFORD (1808-1890). | ||
| US Naval officer, veteran of the Mexican War, commanded “New Ironsides” in Civil War. Made a rear-admiral in 1866, he commanded the European Squadron 1869-1870. Manuscript letter on Flag Ship “Franklin” stationery, dated March 5, 1870, and addressed to Commander J.G. Walker of the “Sabine.” The letter concerns supplies requested by Walker, and is signed “W. Radford,” as rear-admiral commanding the European Squadron. $325.00 | |||
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27. DANIEL RUGGLES (1810-1897). | ||
| Confederate General, veteran of the Seminole War, graduate of West Point 1833. He was twice brevetted for gallantry during the Mexican War. He commanded a division at Shiloh, and held various commands in the Mississippi theater. Brief letter written and signed by Ruggles, dated June 19, [1862], to Major-General Tupper, written at Grenada, Mississippi. Ruggles discusses the enemy retreat on Grand Junction, Tennessee, from Holly Springs, Mississippi. “Please suspend all movements of State Troops until further information.” Signed “Our success, Daniel Ruggles, Brig. Genl. CSA.” A clean and attractive item. $850.00 | |||
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28. DANIEL RUGGLES (1810-1897). |
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| Confederate General, veteran of the Seminole War, graduate of West Point 1833. He was twice brevetted for gallantry during the Mexican War. He commanded a division at Shiloh, and held various commands in the Mississippi theater. Manuscript letter in Ruggles’ hand to General Braxton Bragg, dated in pencil March 14, 1862, while the western armies were maneuvering prior to the Battle of Shiloh. Excellent military content concerning railroad problems delaying Ruggles advance. In part - “I have been obliged to halt a company of cavalry and two batteries of guns already considerably advanced on the road to Purdy. I have been ready to move with a strong force all day, but could not do so until the condition of things could be ascertained.” A fine wartime piece from an important Confederate General. SOLD | |||
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29. ALFRED TERRY (1827-1890). |
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| Union Major-General, he was voted the Thanks of Congress for his victory at Fort Fisher. He was Custer’s commander when the 7th Cavalry was defeated at the Little Big Horn. Section of an “Abstract of Payments” document approved by Terry as commander of the Department of the South. Signed “Alfred H. Terry,” and dated May 1869. $325.00 | |||
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30. GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878). |
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| Journalist, Connecticut legislator. He served with great skill and ability as Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. Department of the Navy document detaching Commander J. G. Walker from command of the USS Shawmut, dated April 7, 1865. Signed by Welles as Secretary of the Navy. Signature slightly rubbed but otherwise strong and legible. $155.00 | |||
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31. GIDEON WELLES (1802-1878). | ||
| Journalist, Connecticut legislator. He served with great skill and ability as Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. Manuscript letter dated October 7, 1861, from the Navy Department in Washington, addressed to P. J. Woodbury, Judge Advocate, New York. The letter concerns Commodore Pendergrast being unable to comply with a summons until his duty as a member of a Navy Board of Inquiry concluded. SOLD | |||
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32. HENRY W. WESSELLS (1809-1889). | ||
| Veteran of the Seminole War, wounded at Churubusco during the Mexican War, Union Brigadier-General during McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign, and in North Carolina. Interestingly, he spent time both as a prisoner of the Confederacy, and later as Union Commissary of Prisoners. Signature on paper, “H. W. Wessells, Brig. Gen. Vols.” $85.00 | |||