Lot # 304

RICHARD THROSSEL COLLECTION OF CROW INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHS

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $15,275.00
Auction: 6/23/2011 - American History, Including the Civil War
Lot of 28 photographs produced by Richard Throssel, featuring a warm-toned photograph of a silhouetted mounted Crow Indian, numbered and copyrighted in the negative at lower left and signed by Throssel on the mount, with Throssel's partial label on verso and Property of Office of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. backstamp, plus other typed and written notes, 6 x 8 in., mounted, 9 x 12.5 in. The lot also includes the following photos of Crow Indians, with typed identification on recto/verso and Throssel's name writen on verso, plus most with Office of Indian Affairs / Received / Jul 29 1910 backstamps, and additional typed and written notes: Bull Don't Fall; Crooked Arm; Sings; Plenty Wing; Shot in the Hand; Fights the Enemy; Bear Gets Up; Bear Don't Fall; Stops; No Shinbone; The Arapahoe; A Study, taken from Strikes one with a Lance; Beaver that Slides; Black Bird that Runs; Black Bird; Child in the Mouth; Long Otter; Along the Hillside; Can't Get Up; John Wallace, Indian Judge; Medicine Crow; Wife of Medicine Crow; Two Leggings & Ties Up her Bundles, wife (2); Pretty Shield; Lizzie Bulltongue; and a Crow Indian with his wife and child; some also with Property of Office of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. backstamps, 6 x 8 in. image, 9 x 12 in. overall.

Richard Throssel (1882-1933) was born in Marengo, Washington of French-Canadian and Cree Indian descent. He moved to the Crow reservation in 1902 for the drier climate, and in 1905 was adopted by the tribe and given the name Esh Quon Dupahs or "Kills Inside the Camp." He became interested in photography and learned his trade through correspondence schools. In 1905 he met and was briefly instructed by Edward S. Curtis. His closeness with tribal members provided extraordinary opportunity, and with his camera, Throssel covered many aspects of Crow life. (See Albright, 1997.)

Lot # 305

ID'D CIVIL WAR WEST VIRGINIA SURGEON'S FROCK COAT AND EFFECTS,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $17,250.00
Auction: 2003 Americana and Decorative Arts. Nov. 12 - 13.
of Major Abel Houston Thayer (1842-1919) of Webster, West Virginia. At the outbreak of the war Thayer was practicing medicine in Webster and he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 3rd West Virginia Infantry in 1862. The 3rd saw action at McDowell, Cross Keys, Republic, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford and was present at Second Bull Run. In June 1863, the unit was reorganized as mounted infantry, and then later in January 26th, 1864 offcially changed to 6th West Virginia Cavalry. As the 6th WV Cavalry the regiment served locally around Martinsburg and Hampshire and Hardy Counties by detachment as part of the Army of West Virginia, and later as part of the Cavalry Division of the same until the summer of 1864. The regiment reorganized again and spent the balance of the summer in remount camp until moving to New Creek in November 1864 and back to remount camp in Maryland in January 1865 staying there until April 1865. The regiment had short duty in Washington D.C. and was then ordered west to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas in June 1865. A detachment moved to Fort Kearney, Nebraska while the rest stayed at Julesburg and escorted the Overland mail operating against hostiles until April 1866. The regiment mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth on May 22, 1866 having lost five officers and twenty-eight enlisted men killed or mortally wounded.

After he left the service he returned to West Virginia and resumed his medical practice. He was a member of the West Virginia Constitutional convention of 1872, and was a two-time memeber of the Legislature in 1887 and 1889. He served as Surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was appointed postmaster for Webster, West Virginia in 1869. This grouping includes his double-breasted frock coat, with buttons manufactured by Schulyer, Hartley and Graham, and with his original major's bars; a pair of bear skin mittens; his surgeon's kit manufactured by Wade and Ford, NY, in a fitted mahogany box contianing a total of 23 surgical tools (lacks one scalpel); a copy photograph of Thayer in uniform, along with a photograph of his headstone; his West Virginia veteran's medal; an enameled GAR major's badge; two elaborate gold washed shirt garters with seed pearl insets; a French key-wind enameled case pocket watch, with attached fob containing gen-sized tintype of Thayer; a man's brass watch fob with empty photo locket engraved "T;" a straight razor; a pair of wire-rimmed glasses; a pair of pince nez glasses; a Civil War era nickel match safe; a World's Columbian Expo matchsafe; a nickel-plated brass match safe with a hunting scene; an aluminum hypodermic needle safe containing syringe and various ampules; and an employee's stub from the B & O Railroad. A fine grouping.

Lot # 310

ROCKER-ENGRAVED PIPE TOMAHAWK, SOUTHERN TETON LAKOTA (PROBABLY OGLALA)

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $17,625.00
Auction: 2010, American Indian & Western Art, March 26
forged, iron pipe-tomahawk blade with rocker engraving; bored ash haft with burned file patterns and brass upholstery tacks; pendant decorations of red ribbon and brain-tanned leather; total length 23.5 in.; length of pipe/ blade 8.75 in.
fourth quarter 19th century.

Both faces of the tomahawk blade are engraved with figures depicting scenes of combat. Details in these figures may reveal the tribal identity of the artist and tomahawk owner.

Left face of blade: three men are shown attacking an entrenched, enemy force. The upper figure, armed with a bow, wears a hairpipe breastplate, dentalia choker and horned, single-trailer, eagle-feather headdress of the Wiciska (White-Marked) warrior society (Bad Heart Bull and Blish 1967: 105). He also has a U.S. Army officer's parade sword belt tied around his waist. The second figure wears an animal-skin cap, perhaps wolf, and the lower figure wears a single eagle feather in his scalplock, with a fringed quiver hanging under his left arm. These three are opposed by an enemy force of five men firing rifles. Small triangles beyond each rifle barrel indicate the muzzle blasts. The aligned position of the rifles indicates that the enemies were entrenched. The short hair of the single, enemy profile indicates that these were White men, probably a U.S. Cavalry or Army unit.

Right face of blade: A Lakota mounted on a pinto horse branded with an angular “w” kills an enemy by shooting him in the head with a pistol. The fallen enemy is recognized as Pawnee from his plucked scalp, central crest of short, roached hair, and narrow scalplock. He is depicted with an arrow still in his grasp as the horse runs him down. This is intended to illustrate the victor's courage, as he charged directly at an armed foe. A smaller figure of another, captured horse indicates a separate war honor.

During the late-1860s, as the Union Pacific Railroad was built across northern Nebraska, the construction crews were frequently attacked by war parties of Oglala and Brule Lakota. These were confronted in many engagements by U.S. Cavalry patrols supported by Pawnee scouts. The events depicted on this tomahawk conform to that period of Lakota history, indicating that the owner was among the Southern Tetons. The newspaper association of this tomahawk with "Yellow Hand," (see below) suggests that the tomahawk may have been collected at the Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D. It was near this location that Buffalo Bill Cody killed the Cheyenne leader with the same name in July, 1876. The cultural attributes of these figures engraved on the tomahawk blade are undisputedly Lakota, rather than Cheyenne. Combined with the collection history noted below, it seems probable that the tomahawk can be identified with the Oglala of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

References Cited

Bad Heart Bull, Amos and Helen Blish
1967 A Pictographic History of the Oglala Sioux. University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Provenance

An extensive file of correspondence and research material documents the history of this tomahawk from at least 1956 to the present. According to a clipping with the dateline Wenonah, New Jersey, June 11, 1956, the tomahawk was collected by Walter S. Chattin Sr. of nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shortly after the turn of the 20th century. The article entitled “Grisly Reminders of Red Skin Days Among Collection Items from the Old West,” notes that around 1900 Chattin, a Philadelphia business man headed West and was a rancher and amateur ethnologist. During the seven years of his Western sojourn, Chattin amassed a large, and impressive collection of Plains Indian objects. The article further notes that many have gone to the Museum of the American Indian in New York; the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC; and the University of Pennsylvania.

The tomahawk offered her is specifically discussed in the newspaper article:

Some items of the collection have a personal history. A tomahawk combination pipe and war hatchet is reputed to have belonged to the great Sioux war chief, Yellow Hand. The steel head of the weapon, pipe bowl, and blade were made long ago in England, as were most tomahawks.

The Indian owner engraved his own personal design in the blade and fashioned the two foot pipe stem and ax handle from hard wood…..Brass tacks, horsehair, and red cotton cloth complete the tomahawk’s decoration.

Collection History

Collection of Walter S. Chattin Sr.
Sotheby’s Fine American Indian Art auction, May 21, 1996, lot 143;
Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico,1996;
John Painter Collection, 1997;
Cowan’s American Indian and Western Art auction, September 13, 2008, lot 287

Published

2001 Taylor, Collin
Native American Weapons. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. Illustrated page 28.

2002 Painter, John
A Window on the Past: Early Native American Dress from the John Painter Collection. Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati. Illustrated page 43.

Thanks to Mike Cowdery, San Luis, CA. for the description and interpretation of the blade engravings.

Lot # 317

BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES M. RUGGLES, 1ST & 3RD ILLINOIS CAVALRY, CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $3,290.00
Auction: 6/21/2012 - American History, Including the Civil War
69 letters and documents; 1 diary; 2 presidential appointments; Veteran's hat; 2 shoulder straps; and coin purse with 19 coins. 1855-1900.

An early and well-connected activist in the antebellum Republican Party and a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln, James Ruggles was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1818. Seeking a place in life, he apprenticed as a printer and moved to Ogle County, Illinois, at 19, but went on to study law, before finally settling into business in Bath, Ill.

An antislavery man from early on, Ruggles was intensely interested in politics. An admirer of Daniel Webster and an ardent anti-Democrat, he was elected to the state senate in 1852 and became a friend and supporter of Lincoln in the elections of 1856 through 1860. With the Civil War erupting, he volunteered for service in July 1861 and after some wrangling, secured a commission as Major in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry. His distinguished service under arduous conditions at Pea Ridge earned him a promotion to Lt. Col., after which he distinguished himself at Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, and the siege of Vicksburg. After mustering out of the service at the expiration of his enlistment on Sept. 5, 1864, he was brevetted Brig. Gen. for faithful and meritorious services.

The Ruggles collection contains both pre-war political letters and war-time documents, providing glimpses into Ruggles' world of power and influence, the earliest days of the Republican Party, and Ruggles’ relationship with Lincoln and Governor Richard Yates of Illinois. On Jan. 9, 1860, for example, Yates, then a potential candidate for governor, wrote Ruggles about whether he should run for office: The opinion is entertained by some friends of mine that I would run better in the center & south, and as well in the north as any candidate yet named -- I confess that I feel conscious of some strength, once before the people, and have rather concluded to be a candidate before the convention unless advised differently by some friends... There is a second ALS from Yates dated Sept. 16, 1855; and a printed flier issued under Yates’ name To the Voters of Morgan County, May 31, 1855, clarifying where he stands on temperance legislation (he was soberly in favor).

In these early days, the Party faithful were filled with optimism. As the election of 1856 approached, William Kellogg (soon to be congressman), advised Ruggles on no count [to] connect yourself with the Filmore movement, there is death it in to any man who espouses that faction at this juncture..., but added: The Democracy are getting up Filmore Meeting as a last hope. We shall rout them all the true old Whigs will come back and the Pro-Slavery men will go to Buchanan. The Republican State Central Committee sounded almost millenarian: The day for the battle of freedom and freemen is close at hand and if the friends of Lincoln work until the night of the day of the election, a triumph is sure and certain. An unscrupulous party is attempting by its imported hordes of traveling voting machines “to subdue” and over-ride the fair expression of the legal voters of this state... Much more on illegal, non-resident voters trying to sway the vote in the state (the letter is fragile, separated at the folds, and worn, but a highly important relic of early Republican Party history). Rounding out the political content are two rare election tickets for the Republican slate, headed by Gen. John A. Logan.

Ruggles' war-time service is represented by eight fine letters that give a sense of then range of conflicting issues and emotions Ruggles was forced to confront. The earliest is a letter written after the first Battle of Bull Run, describing the heroism of the famous 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment: C. Hazlett wrote to Col. James Raguet to inform him that Samuel Raguet had been wounded by buckshot and had been operated on. Saml stood it manfully, he is doing very well the shot entered the right side of his neck about 3/4 of an inch below the ear passing by the Jaw Bone without injuring it on around until it struck the bone in the back part of the neck. It made a very deep and severe-looking wound.... We have quite a number of patriotic northern Ladies who have come here as nurses. They are very kind... Saml. walked nearly the whole distance from the Battle to this city [Washington]... he was wounded in the second fire of the Traitors bur remained on the field and fought manfully all day. His sword was broken in the first of the fight. He has a sword that he took from a “Secesh” cavalry man he held his revolver toward the above named Traitor and he fell, Saml. having relieved him of the trouble of doing any more damage... I was on the ground during the whole of the Battle on the look out for my friends... Saml wishes you to tell Wm Wolf that Eugene Wilmer was shot through the head dead on the first fire.... It should not be surprising to find that Ruggles remained a political animal while under arms, and the collection includes a fascinating letter from July 1, 1862, rallying Ruggles’ support to get Illinois soldiers to defeat Democratic-inspired proposed changes to the Illinois constitution.

Other war-date items include three superior letters from Henry G. Thomas, an ambitious young officer (apparently a Brevet Colonel) looking to use family influence to advance in the army, a printed copy of War Dept. General Order 126, Sept. 6, 1862, specifying the composition of regiments in each line of service; half a dozen documents; an undated manuscript signed Maj. John Campbell, regarding drafting men; a printed letter of transmittal accompanying Ruggles' Brevet to Brig. General, Oct. 6, 1866; and an interesting a manuscript circular, Jan. 3, 1862, declaring Pickets are not to go into houses nor tell Secessionists exactly where they are stationed, where they are moved, &c., and that they are not to be so careless as to allow persons to ride in among them before they know it... and much more to be learned by green recruits.

Of special note are two Confederate items and two relating to some spectacularly poor discipline in the 3rd Illinois Cavalry, almost amounting to mutiny. The Confederate pieces include a very rare manuscript oath of allegiance issued for a soldier from Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry, datelined La Grange, Tenn., and reading in part I George H. Bennett, a citizen of Fayette Co., Tenn. and conscript soldier of Forrest’s command having returned to my home where I wish to remain and take no farther part in the Rebellion... (marked duplicate at bottom left of document). Joining this is a particularly handsome and large printed Confederate States Loan certificate for $1,000 (very good condition and finely printed) issued Aug. 20, 1862, slated to come due in July 1874. No warranties are made for exchange.

The Ruggles' command was no Shangri-la appears in four documents, beginning with a manuscript transcript of charges and specifications leveled against officers in the 3rd. The first, a 7pp cites Captain Charles Dunbaugh for cowardice, among many other things. The incidents detailed include Dunbaugh running away to the rear of the Battalion after a picket was fired upon, leaving shamefully abandoning his post as commander of the company to which he did not return until some time after firing commenced); breaking down in tears when separated from his son and cried and bellowed shamefully saying “My Georgy is lost,” – “we are I an enemy’s country” – “it will kill his mother”...; and shameful behavior at the Battle of Pea Ridge where he was so much under the influence of fear, from the fire of the enemy, that he repeatedly called upon the commander of the Battalion to move the command out of the range of the enemy’s guns... The charges go on to include malingering with an allegedly injured foot, neglect of duty, conspiracy and disrespect against his superiors, drunkenness, conduct unbecoming (falsely reporting himself wounded, visiting a house of ill fame occupied by degraded and abandoned prostitutes, repeatedly), and more. As might be expected, the list of witnesses to the charges is nearly a page long (and a long page at that). As if that were not enough, paired with Dunbaugh’s charges are charges against Capt. James Nichols for violating military orders and discipline, leaving his command without authority in Nov. 1861, going AWOL, insubordination, conspiring with Dunbaugh to undercut Ruggles’ authority, and conduct unbecoming an officer. Perhaps as evidence, the collection also includes a fascinating letter written to send to Gen. Siegel, but apparently not sent, relating to an expedition under Dunbaugh that tore down a secession flag at a court house near Springfield, Mo., that was appropriated by the Major in charge and not returned to the men who took it down.

More ill discipline is documented in a letter from Col. L.F. McCrillis, Jan. 30, 1863, citing Capt. R.H. Carnahan for disrespectful and insolent language used while attempting to tender his resignation for want of confidence in his Colonel and Lt. Colonel and then corruptly and feloniously abstracting the paper from its proper place, and requesting his dismissal from the service. Notably, the dockets on the verso include signatures of Gen. John A. McClernand and U.S. Grant.

Finally, among the gems in the collection is a noteworthy, closely-written, 7pp, detailed Historical Memoranda of the 3d Ills. Cav. Vols., possibly written by Capt. A.B. Kirkbride of the regiment in about 1864, describing the regiment's formation and service, its battle record, but also the controversies over its officers and political machinations. It ends Notwithstanding these efforts to break up and destroy the Regiment by intermeddling and malicious officers, the remaining 83 men of the 3d Ill. Cavalry are as brave, patriotic, and well-disciplined men, as are in the service, and will again make their marks upon the enemy when opportunity affords. The lot also includes the following: 1860 newspaper clipping outlining delegates that attended the Republican Convention in Illinois, making reference to J.M. Ruggles, a Secretary at the Convention; two Presidential Appointments for Ruggles, both for the rank of Colonel by Brevet, one dated 3 July 1866, the other dated 3 August 1866. Each with Andrew Jackson’s stamped signature; Society of the Army of the Tennessee certificate recognizing Brvt. Brig. Genl. J.M. Ruggles as a member, dated 15 October 1874, signed by President W. T. Sherman; Civil War veteran’s hat with braided cord with acorn drop, and wreath and star insignia; Colonel’s and Lieutenant Colonel’s shoulder straps; and small coin purse containing 19 19th and early 20th century coins.

With its balance of pre-war politics and wartime dramatics, the Ruggles collection offers a marvelous opportunity for research into the personalities and events of a critical period in American history, centered on an individual in the inner circles of power.

Lot # 319

FINE GROUP OF AMERICAN INDIAN 1891 RATION TICKETS,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $4,700.00
Auction: 2008 American Indian Auction, Sep 13
lot of 12, including the families of Old Person, Green Grass Bull, No Runner, Joseph Kopp, Half Calf Woman, The Bear, Coming Together, Scabby Robe, Big Beaner, Takes Two Guns Together, and Branding at One Another; with census number, and number of family members. Several tickets retain old strips of cotton fabric or string.

Lot # 319

HUGE LOT OF ALLIED & CENTRAL POWERS NEWSPAPERS & PERIODICALS

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $220.00
Auction: 2001 Arms and Militaria February 17.
Includes L'ETOILE BELGE (Belgian), THE TIMES (London), THE GRAPHIC (British), LA GAZETTE DES ARDENNES (German occupied France), BULLETIN DE LILLE (French), LE DIABLE AU COR (French), LE RIRE AUX ECLATS (French Trench), MITTEILUNGS-BLATT (German), BORWURTS (German) DE EENDRACHT (Flenish) AND LA FLANDRE LIBERALE (Flemish), many are complete runs of war year or life of particular newspaper or periodical, literally thousands of individual pieces, many with great illustrations, P to EXC.

Lot # 321

CDV OF COL. JOHN SLOCUM AND PASS WITH SLOCUM'S SIGNATURE,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $517.50
Auction: 2004, Fall Historic Americana / Dec 2-3
with imprint of Earle & Son, Philadelphia. Common view of Colonel John Slocum, killed at Bull Run while commanding the 2nd Rhode Island. Also included is a pre-printed paper pass on heavy stock from Camp Burnside, Providence, R.I. dated June 1861 ink signed in Slocum's hand.

Lot # 324

BATTERY F, 1ST PENNSYLVANIA LIGHT ARTILLERY, RICKETTS' BATTERY, CIVIL WAR DOCUMENT ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $0.00
Auction: 6/21/2012 - American History, Including the Civil War
50 items.

Ricketts’ Battery of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery was an active unit during the Civil War, serving in the heat of the eastern theatre. Raised in August 1861, the battery served in Maryland during the early months of the war, followed by duty in the Shenandoah Valley, Second Bull Run, and Chancellorsville, among other engagements, before making their famous stand against the all-out assault of the Louisiana Tigers on Cemetery Hill during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. They used artillery ram rods to defend their battery and helped drive the Confederates back. Consisting almost entirely of manuscript documents with a few printed forms complete in manuscript, this collection contains an interesting assortment of items ranging from orders to report for duty or recruiting service, to orders detailing soldiers for special duty and assigning surplus men in the regiment to the 1st Rhode Island Artillery and finally to an assortment of monthly and quarterly returns for stores, clothing, and equipage.

Among the interesting details revealed are notes (included with Ricketts’ property accounts) reporting the death of two horses and the wearing out of whips -- he neither confirms nor denies that these facts are related. The collection also includes three very uncommon printed forms from the Adjutant General’s office notifying Ricketts that no final statement had been received for three deceased soldiers -- a sad byproduct of the often-chaotic record keeping during the war that left countless deaths and injuries unreported. Finally the collection includes a fascinating letter from a lieutenant in the Ricketts’ Battery requesting that the Captain lobby the governor to retain the regiment’s officers. Word had apparently been received that the regiment had been maligned by an interested party who made statement, as I understand it, to the Governor that field officers were no longer needed in Army... and the writer asked Ricketts to refute there malevolent aspersions.

Expected wear and age toning, but a nice collection offering insight into the evolving recordkeeping of the Civil War.

Lot # 325

CDV OF CAPT. IRVING F. WILCOX, 1ST MICHIGAN & VRC, LOST EYE,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $345.00
Auction: 2004, Fall Historic Americana / Dec 2-3
by Brady with flowing ink inscription on verso that reads, Yours Truly/I F Wilcox/14th Regt. VRC. Wilcox enlisted in the 1st Michigan as Company A. First Sergeant in July 1861 and was present at Gaines Mill where he was wounded. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant Wilcox fought at 2nd Bull Run where he lost his left eye. The young officer convalesced and became Adjutant of the 1st Michigan before joining the Veteran Reserve Corps in September 1863 rising to the rank of Captain when this photograph was taken. Notice the scars from the August 1862 wound as well as the replacement glass eye.

Lot # 328

MAP TAKEN FROM THE BODY OF LT. RANKIN, CANADIAN AVIATION CORPS,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $575.00
Auction: 2008, Spring Firearms & Militaria, Apr 30 - May 2,
with battle account and copy of obituary with what appears to be a blood stain on map; all of his personal possessions were returned to his mother in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. The map is a manuscript map drawn by CF.D. Ross, A.B. Ransley 1st FC Can. Eng., in three colors on thin oilcloth, and entitled Secret Information, 15.5" x 17.25" with Messines in upper right corner. This was the town over which Rankin was killed. His obituary is a copy of the letter written by his commanding officer G. I. Carmichael to his father, Dr. Rankin, which reads in part He was one of the luckiest fellows I have ever had in my squadron and I am sure he met the death he would have chosen. He was doing escort to a photographic screen well over German lines. First they attacked three hostile machines and drove them off. They then attacked three more, sending one down in flames, and a second glided down emitting smoke, evidently having been hit in the engine. He was standing up firing over the top plane at the third machine when a bullet hit him in the head. It was a grand fight against long odds, and it was a splendid death.... While the dark brown stain has not been tested, it does appear to be blood.

The Battle of Messines launched on June 7, 1917, under the command of General Herbert Plumer was a tunneling and mining of the enemy positions.

Lot # 329

CORPORAL GEORGE F. LEWIS, 12TH MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY, CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $352.50
Auction: 6/21/2012 - American History, Including the Civil War
9 letters, 1861-1864.

Organized by Fletcher Webster, a son of the great statesman Daniel Webster, the 12^th Massachusetts Infantry began recruiting in April 1861 and mustered into the Federal service in June.  They were not destined for the featherbed.  After service in the Shenandoah Valley, they saw action at Second Bull Run, where they lost their colonel, and in the cornfield at Antietam, where 63 percent of the effectives were killed or wounded, the highest of any federal unit in the battle.  They went on to horrific losses at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, and Petersburg, earning the distinction as one of the hardest fighting regiments in the Army of the Potomac.

A typical volunteer, George F. Lewis learned the rigors of a soldier’s life the hard way, but even during the darkest days maintained a confidence in the success of northern arms.  On Feb 16, 1862, for example, he wrote that the war news he hears is encouraging The Rebels are getting all the Bull Run battles that they ask for.  I wonder if they think one Southerner is as good as five Yankees now.  They have got a foretaste of what is to come yet.  I don’t think Manassas will ever be attacked by our troops unless we surround them & starve them out... There is an excellent early letter regarding the occupation of Harpers Ferry and preparing to be attacked by Johnson’s forces, as well as N.P. Banks’ efforts to retreat and draw Johnson out.  Though not content as a soldier, Lewis kept his sense of humor.  After stating that they could be held in service only three months and that that was as much of a soldiers’ life as he would like to see, he adds with a wry touch that he always carries with him the revolver he brought with him from Boston: when I am on guard or on any dangerous duty he [the Capt.] will let me have it the way he is going to do by all the rest of them who have got them.  I am rather a saucy looking fellow when I am armed and equipped: knife, revolver and rifle...

Accompanying Lewis’s letters are two from relatives: one in the 12^th Massachusetts and one from Lt. George H. Ditson of the 4^th US Colored Cavalry in New Orleans (formerly the 1^st Corps d’Afrique).  Written on May 19, 1864, as the bloody spring campaigns were beginning, Ditson writes: things look very dark in this department at present but iff what we hear from Grants Army is true or even one half of it we are all right.  In this department but I dred to here the official reports I have no doubts but what he has gained a victory but at what sacrifice we do not know or we never shall.  I have no doubt but what he would sacrifice one hundred thousand lives rather than be defeated.  It is an awful thing to think of but should be he defeated god help us...

A small glimpse into New Englanders under arms during the Civil War: one an optimist attached to an illustrious but ill-fated regiment, the other, a pessimist, leading newly liberated slaves fighting for their freedom. 

Lot # 329

LIEUTENANT SHELDON C. TREAT, 4TH IOWA INFANTRY, CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE, INCLUDING GENERAL DODGE LS

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $2,702.50
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
23 items, 1860-1873.

Born in West Haven, Connecticut, Sheldon Treat emigrated to Missouri in 1859 to find work as a carpenter.  Not the best choice.  Although he was fully employed, Treat soon found himself on the frontlines of what would become a Civil War. This fine collection documents the transformation of a young easterner looking for work into a Civil War solder.

In some ways, the three pre-war letters are the most interesting of the lot.  Written from Forest City, MO, a troubled outpost near the Kansas border, the letters provide a glimpse into the drama as war fever rose in an area already engulfed by violence.  On Jan 24, 1861, Treat described an incident with border ruffians: No law of this state could molest them fellows at all for they had got my on the Kansas side and the only way get it was by force.  A fellow from Ohio was with me on the river at the time of the fuss.  There was 6 of them they all drawed their knives and one his revolver.  We had no arms but one knife to defend ourselves with but we got the boat and got back safe.  When we got up town 30 men was redy to go after them.  Had we had our revolvers there would have been some shooting done.

By March, the scene grew even darker.  The yong men of this place are having their hair cut short for the spring fights, Treat reported, They commenced election day to fight and have been at it ever scince.  Under the circumstances, Treat decided to decamp for the north: I shal leave hear next week for some spot unknown I think of going to Fort Desmoin to work. This state will probely go south soon... this state legislator met the 2 of May and elected all of there offecers secession.  They have thretened to drive out all the free state...There, he wasted little time before enlisting in the 4th Iowa Infantry, where he proved himself a capable soldier, earning promotion to 2nd Lieutenant by October 1862 and to 1st Lieutenant in Jan. 1863.

Serving mostly in the western theatre, Treat saw action in 17 battles and took part in Sherman’s March to the Sea, reenlisting after a furlough for the duration.  His letters reveal a strong pro-unionist as he became accustomed to military life in Missouri, culminating his first major battle: Pea Ridge. On Aug 18, 1862, he wrote home to describe the devastation he experienced during one of the year’s most decisive battles, and the way in which his commitment to the cause was growing stronger as he grew from new recruit into a veteran.

Martha says it almost makes her sick to see them poor fellows in the hospital at New Haven.  She ought to go over one battle field and see the sights it would make ger sick for certain.  I should liked to had you seen the field at Pea Ridg for I know it would not made you sick but you would not have forgotten it very soon.  Man is a curious thing in a fight.  People will say fight for honor and glory but I tell you that they fight becaus they are mad and becaus they love to fight. You put a company into action and watch them the first 2 or 3 rounds they take it very cool but soon they begin to fall and this one looses a brother and that one a messmate and blood runs freely then jest listen and hear the deep curses of revenge and then see if they fight becaus they love it.  Yes every shot is dearer than life to them, they don’t think of honors then and how different is it with them the next time they come into action they go at it like a days work...

Interestingly, Treat’s support for the war seems not to have been shared by his father, and he writes a passionate letter complaining that his father seems to offer nothing in his letters but sarcastic and discouraging comments: I have here some 80 men to associate with and all ware getting letters from home cheering them on the good worck and although I have proved myself as brave as the bravest yet I get no encouragement from father...Aug 28, 1862.

Posted at Helena in latter half of 1862, the 4th Iowa took part in the early maneuvers of the Vicksburg Campaign, and the collection includes a fine description of the fall of Fort Hindman, Jan 18, 1863, Our loss is 500 killed and wounded, Our Regiment lost but 4 men in all.  The Battle lasted 3 hours when they surrendered the fort to us.  They had 1 gun of 100 lbs and 3 of 68 lbs all casemated with Railroad iron and 6 feet of oak timber... we got 2 field Batteries and 2 splendid parrott guns and 4000 stand of Endfield Rifles some muskets plenty of shot guns revolvers and pistols of all sorts...There are also two excellent letters from later in the Vicksburg Campaign, written after the regiment had been circled behind Vicksburg, to cut off any possible escape to the east, though at heavy cost to their own ranks.  On May 24, 1863, he wrote: We have taken 8000 prisoners and 75 pieces of artillery.  Our loss is hevy.  My Reg has lost about 50 men.  The 9 Iowa lost all but 130.  Some Reg have lost all their field officers and some most all their line officers.  Jackson the capital of this state is burned down.  I am in camp on Walnut Hills 2 miles back of the town in front is a big Fort still in the hands of the rebels...  We have got Warenton and Haines Bluffs both with all their guns and have got the rebels whare we can tend to them jest when it suits us...

Running through Treat’s letters is his squabble with his father , and Treat takes every opportunity to lambaste the copperheads.  After the draft riots of 1863, he taunted his father: How much has the copperheads made by their riots in New York city.  I think they will get their fill before long.  I rather guess bullets will stop them,.  it was a pity they used blank cartridges as they had such a nice range for canister in the streets.  I guess that Father Abraham who live in Washington is able to stop such proceedings and if necessary stop some of their winds...After the election later that fall, he poked his father again: The soldiers of the 2nd Brig. 1st. Div. fought a bloodless Battle yesterday but very decisive victory was gained.  Stone the republican canidate for Governer went up, Tuttle and Copperheadism went down.  The 4th gave Stone 292 and Tuttle 13...

Lot # 334

CHARLES VICKERY, 2ND NEW HAMPSHIRE INFANTRY, WIA FREDERICKSBURG & GETTYSBURG, CIVIL WAR DIARY

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $881.25
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
Pocket diary, 1862, and Bible.

Veterans of the debacle at the first Battle of Bull Run from the 2nd New Hampshire Infantry looked to redeem themselves in 1862. From the siege of Yorktown (April 10-May 4), through Battles at Williamsburg (May 5), Fair Oaks (May 31-June 1), the Seven Battles Days (June 25-July 1), Oak Grove (June 25), Savage Station (June 29), White Oak Swamp (June 30), Malvern Hill (July 1), Pope’s Campaign (Aug 26-Sept 2), Bristoe Station (Aug 27), Groveton (Aug 29), and Second Bull Run (Aug 30, though not much involved), the regiment seemingly did nothing by fight that summer.

There is little doubt that Charles Vickery represented the best of an active and effective regiment.  During that eventful summer, the young corporal was recognized for his leadership and gallantry under fire, earning a promotion to Sergeant in May and a commission as 2nd Lieutenant at the end of the summer. Throughout, Vickery kept a faithful, daily record of the phenomenal run of battles in which his regiment was engaged, describing each in the terse, laconic style favored by many northern New Englanders. Some sample passages from the thick of the Campaign given a sense of his style:

• May 4: In hot pursuit of the rebels.  Camped three miles from them at night.

• May 5: Overtook the rebels at Half past six in the morning at Williamsburg and opened battle which lasted all day.

• June 1: Under arms all day.  Heavy fighting to our right.

• June 2: Under arms.  Still they are fighting. A dreadfull hot day.

The last entry in the diary, dated Dec. 10, 1862, describes the onset of the Battle of Fredericksburg: Over to the Eleventh Regt all the fournoon.  Get orders to be ready to march at three oclock this afternoon. Vickery was wounded at Fredericksburg and although he managed to recover well enough to return to duty, he was wounded on the second day of the battle of Gettysburg, fracturing his spine, and dying of wounds.

A terse, but highly effective chronicle of an exceptional soldier in exceptional times.

Lot # 337

LEWIS FOSTER & WILLARD PIERCE, 9TH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY, CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $0.00
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
42 letters (all but 2 war date), 1862-1865.

In response to Lincoln’s call for volunteers, the 138th New York Infantry was organized at Auburn in September 1862, but in December, after being sent into the defenses of the nation’s capitol, they were reorganized, reoutfitted, and redesignated the 9th Heavy Artillery.

Only 16 years old in 1862, Lewis Foster left home without telling his mother that he intended to enlist. The friend who had the pleasure of telling Foster’s mother what had happened noted that Lt. Harry Follett had agreed to act as Foster’s guardian: I asked Lieutenant Follett if you could get Lewis clear.  He asked how old he was and I told him you said he was 16, and he said if that was the case you had better keep still, unless you wanted to get him into worse trouble than he was now, for he said that he did not know Lewis when he came there, but that he questioned him, and Lewis told him he was an orphan, and that he swore he was 18 years old, and that false swearing would put him into state prison.

Like many heavy artillery regiments, the 9th NY spent much of their time in garrison duty, remaining in the defenses of Washington, D.C., for a year and a half.  Wide eyed at his first experiences, Foster sent home charming letters describing the sights, seeing lots of black boys in the road, that had nothing on but half of a pair of trousers and nothing else..., and learning to march and camp and campaign.  As young as he was, Foster received advice from home in return, including his Aunt Lucy who advised: The same rule applies to a soldier that does to a man, but a soldier must be either a brave man or a coward, they must either stand nobly up to duty, and win the esteem of all good persons, of if they falter in the work the finger of scorn is ever pointed at them.  I know which way you will choose, and I know that you will be ever faithful.

Faithful he was, and eager.  After a storm, in January 1863, he revealed just how much: I told the boys to never mind if we did get wet, because it was all for the union.  It is military to have a tent blow down once in a while every thing got as wet as water would and then I have slept in the sergeants tent since outs blow down. Foster’s letters describe his experiences learning his ordnance, doing duty at Fort Gaines and Roziers Bluff, and building the ring of forts around the city.  As fixed as they are in place, however, the letters give a wonderful sense of life and attitudes in the Civil War artillery service.  Foster mentions desertions from the regiment, including one boy who went home only to find that his father refused even to shake his hand, and a suicide, apparently by an intentional overdose of opium, and he has a fascination with the military matters that concern every soldier.  On May 28, 1863, he wrote: The guns we got first were the heavyest in the service but the officers have got them condemned and we are agoing to have new guns.  We are at work on the fort.  We have to work from 7 o’clock till ten from 2 till 4 those that are not detailed on the fort have to drill on the big guns...Steward of our regiment was shot a short time ago.  He was out walking a short distance from camp when he heard a revolver fired and the ball passed close by him he turned around to see where it come from when another shot struck him in the side.  I guess he will recover.  Half of the regiment was out in the woods searching for the fellow by they did not find him...

After many months in garrison, the 9th NY Heavy Artillery was thrown into the thick of the fray, called into the assault on Cold Harbor in May and June 1864.  After the ferocious battles died back, however, Foster was taken ill and sent to the massive Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia by late July.  Still wide-eyed and young, he wrote a fine letter describing the famous place: The hospital Buildings are Built in a circle.  There is 40 Buildings and 60 beds in each Building, then there is a lot of other buildings in another place for those that are very sick then there is a lot of tents in a grove for those that are almost well.  On the inside of the circle is a room or Balcony, that runs clear round just at the end of the Barracks there is a large Cook House inside of that where the Victuals are all cooked...

Suffering from diarrhea, Foster lost over 20 pounds, but still kept his sense of humor and optimism.  Not an easy thing to do with his disease: When my diarreah commence it was just before the Cold Harbor fight and during all the 10 days that we lay in the rifle pitts under fire I had to go to the rear half a dozen times a day and sometimes more and the bullets whistling all around.  And the diarreah has kept me running half a dozen times and sometimes more, but it is checked a considerable now and I think I will get well.  He notes that only 40 effectives were left in his company of 160.

Foster was well enough to rejoin his regiment during the late summer 1864, taking part in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign and Battle of Winchester, duty at Kernstown, and participation in last months of the siege of Petersburg from Dec.-April 1865.  His letters mention only occasional light brushes with the enemy, but little heavy action.  After the war, Foster moved west and settled in Lincoln, Neb., before 1880.

A sometimes charming, sometimes frightening record of service from an avid, under-aged Union soldier making the best of becoming a man.

Lot # 343

SERGEANT EDWARD T. SAINT, 63RD PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, CIVIL WAR DIARY, 1862

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $1,080.00
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
Pocket diary (6.5 x 3.25 in.), Mar.-Aug. 1862.

The 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry, a regiment of hard bitten men from the western part of the state, took part in a string of battles so long and so great that it almost defies the imagination.  Organized in Pittsburg in August 1861, the regiment was assigned to the 3rd Corps of the Army of the Potomac and after a relatively calm winter near Washington, D.C., they began their incredible career in battle during George B. McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign.  One after another, the list of their engagements still rings: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the Seven Days, Oak Grove, and Malvern Hill, and they went on to take part at Groveton and Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Strawberry Plains.  Their’s was not easy service.  At the end of their three years, the regiment was disbanded, with veterans and new recruits assigned to the 105th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Edward Saint, a sergeant in the 63rd, kept a close record of his harrowing experiences during the eventful year 1862.  The diary begins in March when the regiment was at Fortress Monroe, staging for the Peninsular Campaign.  In crisp, relatively brief entries, Saint provides a remarkably clear chronicle of the measured (some would say glacially slow) progress of the campaign, and in his position of responsibility, Saint kept a steady eye on the men in his company.  On April 4, the regiment moved on the formidable Confederate fortifications at Big Bethel, only to find them abandoned, and then they moved into the siege of Yorktown.  A sampling of entries gives a flavor of his writing, not to mention his attitude.

• Apr. 9: 6 Co.s of 63rd Regt. A,B,C,E,F, & G under command of Gen. Jameson went to reconnoiter one of the rebel fortifications.  Had quite a skirmish with them.  5th Sergt. of Co. F shot through the neck, died in 15 minutes.  But few shells were thrown at our camp today.

• Apr. 10: Were routed out last night at 11 o.c. on acct. of rumor that the rebels were driving in our pickets -- stood in line of battle for 1 1/2 hours when we were ordered back to our tents to be ready to fall in at a minutes notice.  Were not ordered out a second time -- Moved out camp back 1 1/2 miles farther from the enemy out of reach of their guns...

• Apr. 11: Skirmishing with the enemy was kept up at intervals all day.  One of Co. K was killed about noon -- at 5 1/2 o.c. a skirmish was made the whole length of the lines.  The rebels drove us back a short distance to some timber where Co. B made a stand.  The firing on the right of our Regt was very hard for some time when they were reinforced by 57th P.V.  When the enemy were forced to retreat Gen. Jameson counted over 50 of the enemy laying on the field after the battle.  We had in all 2 killed & 2 wounded, 1 of Co. A killed & 1 wounded, 1 of Co. K killed and 1 wounded.  After nightfall Co. B went back and occupied their picket posts as before the fight.  26 of Co. B fired 1110 shots wt the enemy during the engagement...

The diary continues through the evacuation of Yorktown and as they pursued the enemy, he witnessed the carnage they had inflicted: Our Brigade is in the advance today the rebels having evacuated during last night.  The dead which I saw on the battle fields this morning was a sight which I shall never forget.  The dead rebels were strewn along the whole line from their fortifications to Williamsburg -- almost every house in the town was full of wounded rebels...

Saint’s diary includes similar accounts of the other engagements that summer, particularly the heavy fighting at Fair Oaks (May 31-June 1) and the Seven Days Battles, during which Saint displayed his cool during the confusion of battle.  June 25: 63rd ordered out as skirmishers to feel the enemies position -- We drove in their pickets in front of Kearneys division when the engagement became general along the whole lines -- fighting was kept up at intervals all day.  In the evening the enemy came upon us in such numbers that we were forced to fall back to our old position.  I with a squad understood that the order at one time was to fall back to the rifle pits which we did but when we found out that the 63rd were not there we started back to join our regt but were ordered to the rifle pits to sustain them...At the end of the Seven Days, on June 30, Saint celebrated his birthday, making a charge during a very hard fight, witnessing 19 casualties in his regiment.

Saint’s diary includes notes on other events of the summer, such as the visit to the lines paid by an impatient Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by Gens, McClellan, Heintzelman, and Kearney, but battle continues to dominate.  The relative calm of the mid-summer was ended in late August when the 63rd was again on the move to confront Robert E. Lee.  Heading toward what would be a second showdown at Bull Run, Saint wrote on Aug 27: Communications being cut off between us and Manassas Junction last night the army was started on the march early in the morning -- routed the rebels near Manassas Junction in evening -- 63rd supporting battery.  2 or 3 men were wounded in the regt. by shell.  63rd detailed on picket afterward relieved and sent farther forward to the right.

At the Battle of Groveton on August 29, Saint was seriously wounded in the right arm, and the handful of entries after that date are very brief.  Although Saint survived, he was seriously enough impaired to earn a relatively quick discharge from the service in October 1862.

A matter of fact man, Saint’s diary entries are brief and to the point. In addition to his accounts of his activities, Saint kept a muster roll of his Co. B, with notes indicating whether each soldier was reported killed, wounded, missing, or sick.

Lot # 343

CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE OF WALLACE MITCHELL, 16TH PA CAVALRY,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $2,300.00
Auction: 2003 Americana and Decorative Arts. Nov. 12 - 13.
Civil War -- Pennsylvania Corp. Wallace Mitchell letters, Co. C, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry 32 items (2 post-war), 1861-1867. In a fit of patriotic zeal, Wallace Mitchell of Waterford, Pa., enlisted in McLane’s Erie Regiment in April 1861, a three month regiment that never served beyond Camp Wilkins near Pittsburgh. Although the experience left him with a bad taste for the disorganization of the army and ill treatment they received, he reenlisted the next year in Co. C of the famous 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Mitchell’s letters home are filled with the timeless gruff complaints of soldiers that provide an interesting balance to his obvious ideological commitment to service and occasional pride in his regiment. Typically, while still in the Erie Regiment, he wrote: “Our men are many of them almost naked and to tell the plain truth have nearly starved we have agree among ourselves not to send home any word about our condition until now. Day before yesterday we raised a rebellion in our company we found we had got to do something or surely starve. We had talked long enough. The first thing we thought we would tear down the cook house but we concluded that the cook house was not to blame so we piled into our bunks and when the tattoo beat onely about ten responded to their names... when breakfast came our plates were well filled and have been ever since... If our country needs our services without the three months we will gladly fly to her rescue and face the canons mouth but as for enlisting again after so much needless abuse I won’t do it.” Later, he wrote that he wished his family could see the regiment (appartently no longer naked): “I think we are hard to beat... our sea of bristling muskits with fixed bayonets come to a charge we look savage especially when we move in line of battle on a ‘double quick time’ (run). We would like to try the rebels once (and see them run you know). I think they must be a hard set of fellows if they can whip five to one as the[y] brag of.” (July 3, 1861). The 16th Penn. Cavalry served in northern Virginia and was involved in dozens of engagements in the months and years after Fredericksburg. For Mitchell, the mud and broken morale after that battle were enough to cause him to think of desertion: “The boys are all excitement about furloughs now they say they are going to give three from each Co. ten days they all want to go. I don’t know of any one that intends to come back again if they get away, the officers know it too it must be they want to get rid of us so as not to pay us and put the monew in their own pockets. If it was not for the name of it at home the boys would form a Co. out of this reg. And go hom with their horses they could go easy enough through the lines as pickets. The rebels might take our horses and arms but they paroll all the straglers they catch immediately... please excuse me for sending a Union envelop. The boys all hate the word Union.” (Feb. 1, 1863). But Mitchell toughed it out, and despite his occasional carping, his letters include telling details of cavalry life in the Army of the Potomac. The veterans, he wrote, could make do with little “Its not much trouble for us to go to bed an overcoat, saddle blanket and gum blanket is all the bed I have now we sleep on the ground. I cut up my other blanket to make less load for my horse. We distroy everything to keep them from the rebs that we don’t take with us.” (June 13, 1863). In addition to several fine letters describing the day to days of life in the 16th Penn. Cavalry, the Mitchell collection includes two important letters with battle content, including a short description of a cavalry skirmish with Wade Hampton and a long and detailed description of the Battle of Dinwiddie Courthouse and Hatchers Run in February 1865, keyed to a hand drawn map detailing Mitchell’s position on the field. The regiment, as he told it, began in the rear of the column: “all went on peacible untill we reached stony creek about ten oclock when the advance run into some reb pickets the reserve lay behind breastworks on the opposite side of the creek. The 13th dismounted charged them drove them out they have one man killed one mortally wounded and one slightly wounded when we came along the Pioneers was stuffing the dead man into a hole in the swamp and the wounded man was laying side of the road he was shot through the bowels and through one leg.... [next day. Charge by the 13th regiment repulsed] the most of us dismounted chaps took off to the left into the woods and fell back gradually we went around the corner of the field by 5... the rebs kept up a steady fire we waited about hald an hour for them to charge but they didn’t do it. When we charged again and drove them clear to 6 and 7 [on the map] there was lots of our fellows didn’t go in some of them was half scart to death they left and did not get back till the next night. John was not scart at all nor I want we talked and laughed through the whole thing. It don’t seem half as bad as I thought it would. I thought I would hate to see the dead and wounded but I don’t care a thing about it. Stevens I think was the best fellow in the Co. he is about 22 years old had his leg took off close up. He lived in Warren County. Bill Southhard he lives in Wales Green Top was shot through the head without his branes run out he lived about an hour our Orderly was shot in the knee...” (Feb. 10, 1865). G. B. Mitchell himself died on March 31, 1865. The collection includes a child’s handwritten “newspaper,” the “Star Spangled Banner” (identified, presumably tongue in cheek, as vol. 9 no. 48), with a brilliant full page drawing of an American flag on front and a shield with crossed flags on verso. The whole is tied with red, white, and blue ribbons. There is also an essay on country schools 20 years before, when they were “uncontaminated with high school or academy notions,” an essay on glory, notices of local marriages, etc. Most notable of all, however, are about ten well executed sketches (most in pencil) by Mitchell: sleeping barracks; a soldier “taking rations”; “picture of Camp Wilkins” (parade ground with soldiers at attention, town in background with red pencil coloring); a watercolor sketch of two soldiers, one in a long overcoat; and pen and ink drawings of a bird, a soldier mounting a horse; two of horses. The fronts of four envelopes were illustrated by Mitchell with drawings of eagles, and one with a soldier and U.S. flag bearing the word Curtin (referring to the gubernatorial election of 1863); sketch of Col. Gregg. Several of his letters in patriotic envelopes: Uncle Sam strangling secession snake; McClellan “Liberty and Union”; American eagle warning John Bull and Napoleonic chicken; “The Girl I left Behind me” (vignette bust of girl). Finally, there is a small broadside “The Union Soldier’s Song” (dated 1861). A fine collection with interesting cavalry content and attractive illustrations. Usual wear and age toning, some damage to envelopes, but a literate and engaging collection from one of the most storied cavalry regiments in the Union Army.

Lot # 346

JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN TESTIMONIAL,

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $0.00
Auction: 2003 Americana May 8-9.
1 p., approx. 16 x 19.5", partially printed document with printed signatures of John C. Caldwell and Joshua L. Chamberlain, Augusta (ME), 4 July 1868, engraved and printed by the American Bank Note Co. This testimonial for Eli W. Whitney for service in defense of the Union as a volunteer from the State of Maine. Whitney enlisted in the 5th Light Artillery, died 3/25/63, at the age of about 24, having also been wounded at 2nd Bull Run, August 1862.

Lot # 349

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $11,750.00
Auction: 2009, Winter American History, Dec 9
Jonathan Warner Family Collection, ca 1840-1885; approx. 175 items.

With roots in Connecticut, the family of Jonathan Warner had moved westward by the 1840s to settle in Jefferson (Ashtabula County), Ohio, though they were drawn inexorably westward. In 1847, a relative in Chester, Conn., said it all: "O what a rush westward -- great many of my mates and acquaintances have migrated to the west the past year -- some are contented, some sick....." This collection of Warner family letters and documents provides a glimpse into the lives of Americans during the late antebellum years, when the great national issues of sectionalism and slavery met with an unprecedented mobility. Among the ca.175 items (roughly half letters, half documents), are about 14 written by Jonathan's brother George W. Warner, who had emigrated to California during the high Gold Rush year of 1852 and who traveled around the Pacific northwest for a decade and a half.

In fact, George was not the first of the Warner to move to California, nor was he the most famous. Jonathan and his family in the east apparently kept in contact with Jonathan Trumbull Warner who settled in Agua Caliente (San Diego County) during the Mexican period and changed his name to Juan Jose (J.J. Warner). A well known pioneer in southern California, a state legislator and senator, and later historian of American settlement in Los Angeles, J.J. Warner had received a large grant of land from the Mexican government and oversaw a sizable rancho that employed American, Mexican, and Indian laborers during a period when white dominance was making Mexican and Indian lives increasingly difficult. In 1852, Jonathan Warner received a letter from a relative in Rochester, N.Y., passing along the latest information on their well to do cousin: a powerful account of the so-called Garra Revolt, in which a Cupeño Indian, Antonio Garra, attempted to overthrown the whites by force or die trying: "There has been some difficulty with the Indians in his neighborhood lately (about 20th Nov. last)," according to the letter. "His [J.J. Warner's] Rancho is on their frontier, that is the most inland from the ocean, & at about the date mentioned, a friendly Indians informed his wife that the Indians were going to attack the whites & would make an attack on his ranch first. -- My brother immediately sent his family off to San Diego for safety & at about 2 oclock AM they did so attack him, carrying off his cattle & horses -- killing one of his men & destroying what they could -- he, with his other man, made their escape after killing two or three Indians...." More on Warner, prospects in California, etc. Garra was executed in January 1852, ending the revolt.

It was right at this time that George W. Warner headed out to the California gold fields by way of Panama. The collection includes three letters written en route that describe ship board life, the sicknesses and sights, but more important is the letter he wrote upon arrival that includes a brief description of his stop over in southern California where he saw the post-revolt rancho: [Gold Hill, May 23, 1852]: "We arrive san Francisco on Friday 7 May making 28 days from Panama and 45 from New York… [stopped in southern California en route and] saw a man that was well acquainted with our cousin [J.J. Warner] sais he lives verry much exposed that he has been well off… is to have a house built of bricks of clay and grass dried in the sun, one story high covered with reeds and something that roses out of some springs looks like tar hardens on the roof watter proof...." Their cousin, he wrote, owns cattle and property that produces best beef "but save very little, they keep 10 and 20 dogs on the hole they are a green looking people being mixed with Indian and Spaniard...."

The collection includes four letters written while George was mining for gold at the aptly misnamed Gold Hill. On Dec. 11, 1852, he wrote that his work had begun in earnest, but that not all was as rosy as expected: "I have a claim you know that I expect to take my pile from. it is now under water, it is mostly a summer claim, some of it has been worked, proved rich. The highest I have taken fro my share was 20 or 25 dollars that being a half. I am yet a mining not making much as yet great many discouraged people here curs the day they left there home for this place (you will see a great rush for home in the spring if they can get money enough to carry them).... Mining is getting more extensive less sudding fortunes but more taken on the hole than ever before...." Nine months later, he continued in the same (not very profitable) vein: "Wall, I am mining. Aint doing much good, but shall be able to send home some money soon. Some few people are doing good, get a pound a day but they are mighty skearse...."

The tone of George's letters indicates why he moved north to the Klamath River area. Writing from the Salmon River in November 1854, he sounded more content in the likelihood that he would not strike it rich: "I have a might good little cabbin plenty of good grub layed up for winter, therefore let the wolves howl...." For the next decade, he traveled around Washington, Oregon, and northern California, usually raising cattle and scraping together a living however he could. From Trinidad, Washington Territory, in 1856, he wrote: "I have been mule teering this fall and still at it. Our tail is from the post 100 miles up Klamath all things go on very smoth. Mi cows on the bald kills are doing fine, all they have to do is to increase and multipli. Government is about to erest a light house at this Port and I am about to try to get the keeping of it...."

By 1858, George seems to have found his niche: "I am right here on old Klamath River, where you found me last and expect to be for sometime to come. New diggings and big strikes do not excite me a bit. Last winter was not much one way or the other.... I have 33 head of horned cattle and 30 head or other peoples and expect 40 head more in a few days.... Get lonesome here 3 miles from a white neighbor and see him or some other one once or twice a week... kill a deer when I am a mind to kill a nice little black bear last winter verry fat 200 lbs, an elk that wasn't fat weight 600 lbs, a California lion lately that had been committing some depridations by killing or carrying a calf and several of mi hogs... The Indians ate him for extra fine meet (or muck a muck)... Northerners I see also was afraid a nigger would get into Kansas whi suppose they did. I think it is a lucky man that has a necessary number to work for him, whats the use of niggering ones self through the world."

The last letter from George, Mar. 13, 1865, then in Wallula, Wash. Territory, suggests his niche was a good one: "I left mi place in California in the Spring 1862 came up through Oregon and Washington Territory up to Florence in Idaho Territory to the rich gold diggings of that place, found the pay grounds all taken so I went to Packing the balance of the season the spring of 63. I bought a pack team of mules packed from Old Fort Walla Walla to the Boice Mines 300 miles, made 6 trips and sold out Spring 64. Let mi self to take charge of some mules teams and drive one of 8 mules hailing Freight to the mines Co. Mi pay is not very big but should bring 100 dollars per month in gold coin...."

The west was not equally kind to all Warners, or at least not every version of the west. Another brother, E.C. Warner, wrote to inform Jonathan that he had gone to Chaska, Minn, in 1866 to extricate a brother from a bad situation. The terrain was beautiful: "This is a great country I shall never be sorry I have come to see it. Thare is more enterprise, more large citties && than I have any Idea of. What a long ways it is up her only think of my traveling five long days on the most direct rought by steam Boat and RR to get here and then think of the millions on millions of acres of Land the most of it so remarkable furtile...." However attractive the place, though, their brother Frank was in straights: "Frank is not himself at all. I feared it all but would not believe it was so bad untill I came here and now see for myself. You would not know him if you were to meet him… his wife has told all to me and it has affected me so much I hardly know what to do but shall spare no pains and will do all in my power while I stay to reform him… you will know his impulsive and head strong nature and will see how carefull I have got to be… It may all work smoothly of Frank may be Boistrous and Indifferent and to far gone to be reached by reason or Brotherly love. Thare are as many Beer shops in this part of the country as thare are stores. A majority of the people are Dutch and drink Beer instead of water. Every one of them that come into Franks office ask him to go and take a glass. He does not go with them now, but I know he would if I was not here...."

In addition to the western letters, the collection includes a handful that address the major political and social issues of the antebellum period. From Connecticut, Joanthan learned that "People are being waken up in view of the presidential election. Vast number in New England as well as elsewhere are dissatisfied with the nominations made… the dissatisfaction arises from the subject of slavery -- if I was old enough to vote and a politician I should presume to vote engage in many private discussions prior to the election -- the subject of slavery is indeed a great and important subject and deserving of solemn consideration -- from present appearances we may judge that it will in the process of time be thorough considered and slavery abolished...."

Another cousin of Jonathan's was equally sympathetic, writing in 1850 that Joshua Giddings in the House and John P. Hale in the Senate had "breasted" a great of venom from pro-slavery forces, but were "But there are now those of both branches who have a strong smack of the same fanaticism and will no doubt do as honest service. The pact passed to recover fugitives is anything but palliative in this quarter when attempted to be carried out -- nothing can now save agitation nor slavery. The south will find soon that Justice only and no bullying will satisfy and allay all parties, creed or sects, and harmonize all ends of this great hove of bees so called. The Nashville convention finds itself badly crippled by not having delegates from all the southern states… It will be a better and more confiding union and all its parts like the parts of machine will respond without a compromise or murmur...."

From California, however, George had a different take as the Civil War began (July 3, 1861): "You speak of troubled times with the southern states. Why should there not be, the nigger worshipers of the north have ben stealing and running off the property of the south not allowing them a fair show or any show at all in the territories all this with out law. Now you have a president to suit are in hopes probably here after to steal by law. I have no doubt you will whip the south now, but you cant make her stay whipped. There can never be an aggreeable union of these states again. It is a pitty that some of those northern agitators could have been hung some years ago and further security given for southern property and the thing settled without collision...."

Other letters offer a homey sense of family life and community. A relative in Chester, Ohio, for example, wrote to describe his situation: "We have very good young society here now, kissing meetings a plenty and some dances. I am often called to do good with my violin, sometimes we muster 4 violins and a piano which make considerable of a rattling. There are 12 pianos in the place...."

The collection includes a few notable items of philatelic and postal history: a lightly cancelled 5¢ Benjamin Franklin stamp (Scott #1) on a turned envelope; two letters with circular rate mark stamps reading "Steamship 20" (sent en route to California); one letter with two Sawyers Bar, Calif., circular postmarks (1863) and another postmark from Walla Walla (the letter had been forwarded); and a letter with manuscript cancel for Orleans, Cal. Feb. 23, 1863. There is also a handful of documents relating to the family's efforts to receive spoliation claim money from the French for the capture of the Brig Matilda, mostly dating from the 1880s.

In addition to the manuscript portion of the archive, the lots also contains a small gold nugget presumably sent home by Warner; a pair of eyeglasses and case, a single shoulder bar of a United States Army Colonel and a 20th c. cosmetic case.

A delightful grouping from antebellum Ohio, with two important letters relating to the Garra Revolt and Indian resistance in Southern California and great content from the Pacific Northwest. Generally good condition with some wear and tear, separating along folds, and staining, but presentable throughout.

Lot # 350

BVT. CAPT. G.W. SNYDER, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, MEMORANDUM BOOK WITH MAP OF 1ST MINNESOTA ADVANCE AT FIRST BULL RUN

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $470.00
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
Memo book signed and dated just one week before the battle of First Bull Run by brevet Captain George W. Snyder. The book contains a diagram of the marching order of the First Brigade, Third Division of the Union Army at the battle of First Bull Run, and a hand-sketched map of the actions against Henry Hill and around Ricketts’ Battery during the battle. Snyder was the only officer to serve at both Ft. Sumter and Bull Run, making this memo book a unique Civil War artifact.

Lt. Snyder graduated first in his class at West Point in 1856, and taught engineering there during 1859 and 1860. As Assistant Engineer in charge of the construction of Ft. Sumter and repair of Charleston harbor defenses in 1860, he mounted as many cannon as possible in Ft. Sumter after South Carolina seceded from the Union, and oversaw the evacuation from Ft. Moultrie before the outbreak of hostilities, commanding a battery at Ft. Sumter during the fight. After the fall of Ft. Sumter, Snyder was promoted to brevet Captain in the Army. He was involved in constructing Ft. Washington as part of the defenses of Washington, DC, and then was assigned to the staff of General Samuel Heintzelman for the Manassas campaign as Engineer of the Third Division of the Union Army of Northeastern Virginia.

The book is inscribed Lieut. Snyder/ U. S. Engineers/ July 13, 1861 on the first page, and the next page features a diagram of the First (Franklin’s) Brigade, Third (Heintzelman’s) Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia. The diagram shows the position of each company of the 1st Minnesota Infantry, which is deployed in skirmish line ahead of the brigade, followed by Col. Franklin of the Regular Army leading the column. The 5th Massachusetts is the first regiment in column, with two companies deployed as skirmishers on the left of the formation, followed by the 4th Pennsylvania, which has two companies deployed as skirmishers to the right. Next is General Heintzelman and staff, followed by the artillery battery of Lt Ricketts and wagons with tools. The 11th Massachusetts acts as rear guard. The notes under the diagram read:

Minnesota Regt in front with 8 Comps deployed, (one platoon at a time).
5th Mass with 2 left Comps deployed & remainder by 4s in road.
4th Pa with 2 right cos deployed & remainder by 4s on road
11th Mass by 4s.

A sketch of the fighting around Henry Hill during the battle of First Bull Run is also included. The two guns in the lower right of the sketch may be those of Beckham’s battery, backed by the 7th Georgia and 39th Virginia on the extreme left flank of the Confederate line. Light pencil marks on the sketch seem to have been added by Snyder as he used his pencil as a pointer while describing the fighting around Ricketts’ battery of guns, where the heaviest fighting of the battle occurred. As Divisional Engineer, Snyder would have likely been involved in getting the guns across the creeks and into position. An “x” mark on an arc is believed to be the route and location of the 1st Minnesota Infantry, which was detached from the rest of Franklin’s brigade to hold the extreme right flank of the Union line with the 11th New York “Fire Zouaves.”

Lt. Snyder was especially mentioned by General Heintzelman in his report, for his efforts to rally the troops on the right flank. Snyder was brevetted a second time for bravery after this battle, to the rank of Major. However, he did not live long afterward.

He had contracted a serious illness while defending Ft. Sumter (some accounts say typhoid fever, some say tuberculosis, some attribute it to a disease contracted from bad food and water at Ft. Sumter). He was hospitalized in Washington D.C. exactly one week after the battle at Manassas on July 28. He died in hospital on November 17, 1861 at the age of 28, becoming the first officer from the defense of Ft. Sumter to perish. Some sources, including Major General Abner Doubleday, who served as a Captain with Snyder at Ft. Sumter, maintain that Snyder was brevetted to Lt. Colonel days before his death, but the official records bear no mention of this promotion.

The rest of the book seems to be an accounting in another hand (perhaps his father) of the settlement of Snyder’s estate and the running of a farm, with the exception of a page near the end, where the names of sentries along the Manassas Road were jotted down.

George W. Snyder was the only Union officer to serve both at Ft. Sumter and First Bull Run. War-date items from Snyder are rare in any case, due to his early death, and this memo book with battle-related content ties together the first two signal events of the Civil War.

Lot # 352

LT. COL. JULIAN E. BRYANT, 46TH USCT, COUSIN TO W.J. BRYANT, CIVIL WAR ARCHIVE

Sale Price Including Buyer's Premium: $1,410.00
Auction: 12/7/2012- American History: Live Salesroom Auction
77 items (64 war date), 1848-1886.

Julian Bryant placed his belief in the equality of all Americans on the line during the Civil War and paid the ultimate price.  His military career was not long, but from beginning to end, he accepted risk and responsibility and lived his principles.  Born on Nov. 9, 1836, Bryant was an intellectual and abolitionist and a nephew of the famous poet William Cullen Bryant.  As a young man, he settled with his family in the abolitionist hotbed of Princeton, Ill., where he began teaching art at the Bloomington Normal College.  When the Civil War began, however, Bryant stepped into action, helping to recruit a brigade from among the teachers at the Normal College, which was attached as Co. E of the 33rd Illinois.  In recognition of his leadership, Bryant was elected Second Lieutenant of his company, and in that position, he earned the notice of his superiors.  Among his exploits during the fall 1861, he played the part of spy in Missouri, uncovering a secret Confederate recruiting post near Pilot Knob.  When his regiment descended on the plantation to break up the operation, they armed 20 of the slaves and marched the Confederate culprits back to camp, an incident that has gone down on record as the first time union soldiers liberated and armed slaves.  Throughout his time, Bryant never wavered in his belief that freedmen should be allowed to fight for their own liberation.

Bryant was promoted to the staff of Charles Hovey (former President of the Normal School and Colonel of the 33rd Illinois) when Hovey was promoted to Brigadier General, and when the 1st Mississippi Infantry (African Descent) was organized early in 1863, he was given a commission as Major.  Although treated primarily as laborers, the 1st Mississippi earned laurels when the still-green African Brigade was attacked at Milliken’s Bend by Brig. Gen. Henry E. McCulloch’s Texans.  In vicious hand to hand fighting, they repelled the attackers and helped seal a possible Confederate escape route from Vicksburg.  In Oct. 1863, Bryant was given oversight of the liberated slaves near Vicksburg, and loudly and clearly, he rose to their defense, complaining that the government was treating contrabands like brutes, not free men.

In September 1864, Bryant was awarded with his final commission as Colonel of the 46th USCT, a notoriously undisciplined regiment that had been raised in May 1863 as the 1st Arkansas Infantry (African Descent).  The 46th USCT served at Millikens Bend until November 1864, then at Vicksburg, Memphis, and New Orleans, until they were sent to Texas as the war wound down. Bryant drowned at Brazos Santiago, Tex., in May 14, 1865.

The Bryant collection consists of receipts (some personal), morning reports, special orders, and numerous returns for rations and provisions used in the 46th USCT.  The correspondence is scarce, but exceptional, reflecting Bryant’s keen interest in assisting freedmen in fighting for their freedom.  The collection includes a draft of two letters, one from Bryant dated at Milliken’s Bend, Oct. 4, 1864, to Brig. Gen John P. Hawkins, attesting that he has done his duty faithfully, but asking to be relieved of outside affairs to concentrate on his regiment: I would respectfully ask how far I am expected to take cognizance of the management of affairs on the plantations around.  Complaints are constantly coming in from employers and employees which cannot be attended to without expenditure of considerable time. 

Even more significant is a letter in return from Hawkins to Bryant, Oct. 1, 1864, regarding Bryant’s new command:

I am surprised as this for I thought you well knew the condition of the Regiment to which you have recently been promoted.  When I selected you from among many others, many of them your seniors by commission, to recommend for the position of Colonel of the 46th Regt. I wanted you to be with it to take command of it, the post did not present itself to my consideration.  I wish you to command the Regiment without any intermediary.  The Regiment is in bad condition and your personal intercourse with the officer of it is necessary to bring it up to what it should be.  Its discipline is bad and its morals are bad.  You cannot correct these through a third party.  I wish you therefore to assume command of the regiment and attend to the details of its administration.

The other letters and documents in the collection flesh out some of the trials and travails of white officers in colored regiments, in the field and at home:

• Letter from H.P. Morancy, Nov. 2, 1864, regarding buildings at a plantation nearby Milliken’s Bend that had been taken down: The plantation belongs to a widow and orphans living in Kentucky and I am the agent.  I hope you will give orders to prevent any further demolition...

• Letter from a woman friend at home in Bloomington, from Capt. in 35th Ill. recommending men for positions in the 46th, one from Col. of the 33rd Ill., and from Charles Robinson seeking the same (a Charles Robinson served in the 46th as a private, but presumably not the same).

• Letter from the Methodist Episcopal ministers of the Red Rock Annual Conference (Chicago) certifying Rev. W. P. Jones as being in good standing and suitable to become Chaplain for the 46th USCT, Feb. 4, 1865.

• Letter regarding commissions to be issued in the regiment Jan. 21, 1865, noting that two men, including a Pvt Marvin Perry of the 1st Mississippi Marine Brigade, had declined their appointments.

• List of prisoners taken by the 46th USCT, Memphis, Jan. 4, 1865, comprised mostly of soldiers in McGee’s Regiment, and signed by Maj. John Raum of the 46th USCT.

• Record of bounty paid to recruits, including a telling note next to one man’s name: recruiting officers from ohio run off without paying bounty.

bull; An inventory of Bryant’s effects kept by him in the field at the time of his death (silk velvet vest, white silk gloves, opera glasses, cashmere shirts, etc.)

In addition to the Hawkins letter, the collection includes a handful of documents signed by other senior officers in the US Colored Infantry, including a receipt signed by Col. W.D. Turner (11th USCT), Robert Ranney (2nd USCT), Col. William E. Young (49th USCT)., as well as Lt. Col. Lynn of the 46th.  Also included are several pre-war and post-war items from the Bryant family, including a poetry commonplace book (some work may be original?), possibly from Julian Bryant in the 1850s, and a manuscript student magazine The Student’s Monitor, Feb. 8, 1855.

A small but important relic of a significant figure in the USCT, with a sterling letter from John Hawkins.