Spink Shreves Galleries Sale

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THE CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL SALE continued...

AUTOGRAPHS AND AMERICANA continued...

Lot

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

121

Imboden, John D. American Confederate cavalry general and partisan raider (1823-95); initially an artillery officer, he was partially deafened at First Manassas; in 1862 he formed a partisan cavalry battalion; served under Stonewall Jackson in the Valley Campaign; led the Jones-Imboden Raid in Virginia; provided cavalry support in the Gettysburg Campaign. Document Signed "John D. Imboden, Clk." at close and "JD Imboden" twice on docket, 2 pages, 4to, Staunton, VA, December 14, 1858. The future cavalryman records a deed between Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Paris and William I. Jackson for a 45-acre tract of land for $100. Fold splits repaired with tape, toning and edge wear, with some gaps at hinge not affecting text, about VG. (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

122

Iowa Volunteers: ERS Canby American soldier (1817-73); after serving with honor in the Mexican-American War, commanded the Department of New Mexico in the Civil War, forcing Confederate troops to retreat to Texas; commanded New York after the Draft Riots; accepted surrenders of Taylor and Kirby Smith at the close of the war; later killed by Modocs while on a peace commission, making him the only American general killed in the Indian Wars. Interesting Manuscript Letter Signed "Ed. R.S. Canby / Brig. Gen. AAG," 1 page, 4to, on engraved War Department stationery, Washington, May 21, 1863. Canby writes Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood of Iowa, "I am instructed by the Secretary of War to acknowledge the receipt of your communication...in relation to certain companies of Iowa Troops, and to state in reply that the proposed arrangement is not consistent with the condition of the service." Light but extensive foxing to center and right edge, otherwise VG. Most likely Governor Kirkwood had sought to have Iowa troops stationed in their home state. (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

123

[Jackson, Thomas J. ""Stonewall""] American soldier (1824-63); earned the nickname ""Stonewall"" at First Bull Run from the stoutness of his unit against a Union assault; one of the most successful Confederate commanders, notably in the Valley, Peninsula, and Maryland Campaigns; killed after the victory at Chancellorsville by friendly fire. Four volumes on his storied life and career. Features the desirable Book, "Memoirs of 'Stonewall' Jackson." Mary Anna Jackson, Louisville, KY, Prentice Press, [1895]. 4to, dark green cloth illustrated in black and gilt, gilt spine. Illustrated. Owner's stamp, 1896, on front endpapers, cracked interior hinges, external rubbing with some exposure at corners, but VG. With Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War by Henderson, Grosset & Dunlap, "Authorized American Edition," [1940s?]*; and "Stonewall in the Valley," by Tanner, 1976; and "Stonewall Jackson," Lenoir Chambers, NY, William Morrow, 1959, 2 vols, in slipcase. Henderson about VG, others VG/F. [4]

Est. $300-400

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

124

Johnston, Joseph E. American general (1807-91); the highest-ranking US officer to join the Confederacy; first commander of the Army of Northern Virginia until he was wounded and Robert E Lee took charge; best known for his long strategic withdrawal against WT Sherman's army in Georgia; after the war, the two rivals became friends, and Johnston died after catching a cold at Sherman's funeral. Very early clipped Signature "J.E. Johnston / Bt. Capt Top'l Engrs." on a1.3" x 4.25" sheet, undated but ca. 1840. Johnston had been brevetted for his valor in the Second Seminole War in Florida, where in 1838 he had been wounded during a stint as a civilian. In VG/F condition. (Image)

Est. $200-300

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

125

Lee, Robert E. American general (1807-70); his remarkable success leading Confederate troops in the US Civil War made him a legend in his own day; known even before the war as the model of the perfect soldier, he was offered the highest field command by both sides at the start of hostilities. Outstanding war-date Autograph Letter Signed "R.E. Lee," 1/2 page, 4to, on blue paper, Petersburg, November 8, 1864. He writes Mrs. Mary R. Fairfax in Richmond in response to her letter on a promotion for her son, "I...am very sorry for the unpleasant situation of my young friend Ethelbert. I hope something may be done to relieve him. I have written to ascertain what action was taken on his recommendation for promotion in the Signal Corps. That seems to offer the speediest plan of amelioration, & at present I see no other. Please present my kind regard to the Dr. & your daughters." Folds, toning, small pieces of silk on verso to reinforce folds, sharp and VG. The Fairfaxes' son Randolph had been killed at Fredericksburg in December 1862, and on that occasion, General Lee had written a moving letter of condolence. Lee had always taken great care to avoid interfering in the careers of even his closest friends, on the principle that merit alone should dictate military promotions - something that gave the Confederacy an early advantage against Union armies studded with incompetent political appointments. Here we see that principle in action, as Lee promises only to see what action was taken, avoiding any suggestion that he will intervene on Ethelbert Fairfax's behalf. Fairfax had begun in the heavy artillery before being transferred to the Signal Corps. Though it was not a combat assignment, serving in the Signal Corps was extremely dangerous, as much of its work was done close to enemy forces, and sometimes even behind their lines. Disrupting enemy communications was a high priority for both sides. Indeed, despite his mother's pleas, Ethelbert would be shot in the lung in 1865, but he would survive the war, dying in 1907. Accompanied by its highly desirable Autograph Postal Cover Franked "R.E. Lee / Genl." in upper right corner. Lee addresses his letter to "Mrs. Fairfax / Care of Dr. Orlando Fairfax / Richmond / Virginia." With Confederate ten-cent stamp at right, with light circular Petersburg postmark. Toned but VF. General Lee did not have a franking privilege in the Confederate Army, but he continued the practice from his time in the US Army, adding the appropriate postage. Only 15 of these field-endorsed letters that traveled through the Confederate postal system are known to exist, making this an exceptional rarity! [2] (imagea) (Image)

Est. $20,000-30,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

126

[Lee, Robert E.] Desirable carte-de-visite Photograph of Lee in uniform, a vignetted bust pose, ca. 1864, from an unretouched negative, photographer unidentified. Identified in print as ""General R.E. Lee, C.S.A."" on verso. Edges of mount trimmed. Some spotting, mostly in background, VG. (Image)

Est. $200-300

SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction

127

[Lee, Robert E.] Classic Book ""Robert E. Lee: a Biography."" Douglas Southall Freeman. NY, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1936. Four vols. Pulitzer Prize edition. 8vo, blue cloth with gilt illustrated fronts and gilt and orange spines. No jackets. Very light rubbing of edges, some staining of endpapers, lightly toned interiors, but VG/F.

Est. $300-400

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

128

[Lee, Robert E.] Mary Custis Lee Wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee (1808-73); great-granddaughter of Martha Washington; inherited the Arlington estate that became Arlington National Cemetary. Outstanding association Autograph Note Signed in third person 1/2 page, 12mo, no place "Wednesday Dec 21st," no place or year (probably West Point, NY, 1853). She writes, "Mrs. Lee Will be happy to see Cadet Ruger on Saturday evening next at 6-1/2 oclock." Addressed by her to the cadet at "No 94" on verso. Discolorations affect one word, but overall VG. This was almost certainly written while Mrs. Lee's husband was superintendent at the US Military Academy at West Point. During his tenure, December 21 fell on a Wednesday only in 1853. If that it the case, this must have been written to Thomas H. Ruger, who was graduated in 1854, and who would later also become superintendent of West Point! Ruger, like most of Lee's students, would fight for the Union in the Civil War; he was recognized for his service at Gettysburg and at Franklin. (Image)

Est. $400-500

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

129

Lee, Stephen D. American soldier and politician (1833-1908); served under Beauregard at Ft. Sumter; led troops at Seven Pines, the Seven Days, Second Manassas, Antietam, and in the Vicksburg and Nashville Campaigns. His early Endorsement Signature, "A true Copy / S.D. Lee / Capt. C.S.A.," on a manuscript letter, 1 page, 4to, on blue lined paper, Richmond, June 3, 1861. The letter authorizes him to pay the forces of South Carolina "recently mustered into the service of the Confederate States from the date they were called into service for the defence of Charleston by Genl. Beauregard..." Toning at edges, VG. In November, Lee would be appointed major, beginning his steady rise to the rank of lieutenant general in June 1864, making him the youngest man to attain that rank in the CSA. (Image)

Est. $400-500

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

130

Lincoln Assassination: [John Surratt] Confederate spy and accused conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1844-1916); claimed to be in Elmira, NY, at the time of the murder, after which he fled to Canada; his mother, Mary Surratt, was was convicted and hanged for assisting John Wilkes Booth, especially in his escape; captured in 1867, he had a mistrial and was ultimately released. An incredible ALS by Congressman Charles Calvert of Maryland, 1-1/2 pages, 8vo, on engraved Thirty-Seventh Congress stationery with a fine vignette of the Capitol, "Riversdale," [Riverdale Park, MD], October 14, 1863. Calvert writes to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton "to recommend the bearer Mr. John Surratt to your favor for an appointment in the Paymasters Department. Mr. S. is a very worthy and energetic young man and desires a situation to assist him in maintaining a widowed Mother. Any kindness you can bestow on him will be duly appreciated..." Folds, light soiling and toning, some edge wear, VG. Surratt was already postmaster at Surrattsville, MD, and acted as a Confederate courier and spy in the region around Washington. In late 1864 he was introduced to John Wilkes Booth and made plans with him to kidnap President Lincoln. He would disavow any connection with the plot once it changed to assassination. His mother had been widowed in 1862. (Image)

Est. $500-750

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction

131

Meigs, Montgomery C. American engineer and soldier (1816-92); designed and supervised the construction of the Capitol dome; Union general during the Civil War, serving as Quartermaster General. Choice salt-print Photograph Signed on mount "M.C. Meigs / Capt. of Engrs. / A.D. 1860." A 7.5" x 5.75" nearly full-length image of a painting of Meigs holding a top hat with the Capitol and an aqueduct in the background, on an 11" x 9" mount. Some streaks on surface of image, toning and soiling to mount, but overall VG. Meigs would revolutionize the quartermaster's office, bringing it new efficiency and honesty. (Image)

Est. $200-300

SOLD for $130.00
Will close during Public Auction

132

Memminger, Christopher G. German-born American politician (1803-88); a lawyer and South Carolina legislator, he was in the provisional Confederate congress and was among the committee that drafted the Confederate constitution; named the Confederacy's first Secretary of the Treasury, facing the impossible task of financing a terrible war against a larger, richer, more industrialized foe. Choice content Autograph Letter Signed "C.G. Memminger" as provisional secretary of the treasury, 1-1/2 pages, 4to, on paper watermarked "Alexr. Piries Sons / 1859," at the temporary capital, Montgomery, AL, April 5, 1861. Memminger writes to Governor F.W. Pickens of South Carolina, presenting "Mr. W.B. Dinsmore, President and Mr. Henry B. Plant, Manager of the Adams Express Company. Mr. D. is from New York and Mr. Plant from Augusta, and both gentlemen are true friends of the South and as you well know the company has proved itself. For they have brought free for every member of Congress everything sent during the whole session. These gentlemen desire to see a little War and Camp Life and...would be obliged to you for permission to pay a visit tot he Camp..." Edge and fold wear, with several small holes not affecting legibility, but overall VG. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Adams Express already transported freight throughout the South. In order to continue doing business, the company formed Southern Express, headed by the very Henry Plant named in this letter! Throughout the war, Adams Express pretended that Southern was a separate, offshoot company, though in reality it was merely a subsidiary, allowing Adams to maintain national coverage. (Image)

Est. $600-750

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

133

[Mosby, John S.] Confederate partisan leader (1833-1916); served under JEB Stuart, personally devising the famous ""Ride around McClellan;"" given his own command of guerrillas, he ranged northern Virginia, raiding Union supplies and detachments; famously captured Union Gen. EH Stoughton in bed in 1863; in 1864, after some of his captured men were hanged, executed Union prisoners in retaliation; known as the Gray Ghost for his sudden attacks and elusiveness; after the war, became a Republican. Choice Soldier's Letter by Lt. William W. Parker of the 2nd MA Cavalry, 4 full pages, 4to, Falls Church, VA, June 27, 1864. He writes a friend back in Boston that he is serving in a court martial far from the action, but "Mosby is outside with two or three hundred men & one 12 pounder. The other day he gobbled a party of 40 men of the 16th N. York. They had passed a house a few minutes before near Centreville & were stopping to feed. Mosby came on their heels...He struck them as the horses were unbridled & every man had an armful of hay...The Lieut ought to be disgraced for his carelessness. Still the men of the 16th won't fight. Mosby has a great advantage. If he is hard put his men scatter...We can't play that game...We had a very interesting raid a couple of weeks ago. We went with a number of ambulances to the Wilderness to bring off the wounded...We reached Chancellorsville...Everywhere the road was strewn with old knapsacks & all sorts of soldiers gear...Evidences of the fight began to thicken here & there a shell, a skull from the fight of a year ago, plenty of dead horses, some of them furnished shoes for our live ones. Then we came to the battle ground...The Rebs had it fearfully their own way...They drew lines of rifle pits & as they were driven from one would retreat to the next...The Rebs & the Yanks lay side by side as they fell. The sun has dried the bodies. Death is not attractive...We brought off 40 odd wounded but it was just our luck to be too late. The Rebs had been there two or three days before. Had we happened to hit them we would have bagged 75 ambulances..." He goes on to relate the famous story of French Delaney, one of Mosby's raiders, who was the son of a Union colonel. Folds, otherwise VG/F. With original envelope. (Image)

Est. $600-750

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction

134

Parker, Ely S. Native American Union general (1828-95); began as a representative of the Seneca nation to the US government; gained a military commission with the help of US Grant, serving at Vicksburg; became Grant's military secretary and penned the final draft of Lee's surrender at Appomattox; named Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1869, the first Native American to hold that post. Autograph Letter Signed "Ely S. Parker," 3 full pages, 8vo, New York, August 16, 1889. He writes to his colleague, Gen. John C. Smith, lieutenant governor of Illinois and prominent Freemason, who has invited him to "be the guest of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Illinois of F. and A.M...I have labored increasingly all this summer to bring about such a turn in my affairs as would enable me finally to send you the message 'Yes, I will come.' My trouble of course is principally financial...At times I am very much discouaged at the perverseness of my fortunes...I am, and for some time past have been, a non-affiliated mason for non-payment of dues...Please do not humiliate me by again renewing the invitation. No one here knows of my troubles, and I have told it to you now in strict masonic confidence...I shall get through it in time....When I am myself once more, I shall be most happy to come out to see you." With original envelope. In VG condition. Parker had made a small fortune in the stock market only to lose it when his luck ran out; he had since been working for the NYC Police Department. (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

135

Photography: Collection Six images, five of them from the Civil War era. Includes a choice pair of 3"" x 2.5"" Ambrotypes in a dual case, each showing a man in a war-era shell coat with tinted cheeks and buttons. With a 4.25"" x 3.25"" Tintype of the same pair seated together. Also with a 2.5" x 2.1" Tintype of a youth in a shell jacket, kepi, and eagle-buckled belt, holding a pistol! His buttons, belt, and ring have been tinted gold. With another 2.5" x 2.1" Tintype of a young trooper in a jaunty cavalry-style hat, his hat tassel, buttons, and uniform braid tinted gold. Finally, with a cabinet card Photograph of a meeting of the John Anderson post of the Grand Army of the Republic, ca. 1890. Seventeen veterans pose with their post's flag. This post, in Wilder, KS, is in a region once raided by Quantrill's partisans. It is now part of the Kansas City suburbs. A choice group, all at least VG. (imagea) (imageb) (Image)

Est. $300-400

SOLD for $600.00
Will close during Public Auction

136

Pickens, Francis W Choice war content ALS, 3 pages, 4to, ""Head Quarters,"" June 27, 1861. A retained copy of a letter to Jefferson Davis, on new troops raised early in the war: ""Our distinguished friend, Col. [James Lawrence] Orr has succeeded in raising a full rifle regt. and prepares to be received into the Confederate army 'FOR THE WAR.' There is no portion of the Southern States from which a finer race of men could be selected...and I am satisfied they will do efficient service. I most cheerfully give my consent to their going immediately into Confederate Service because they come principally from the mountain districts of the state where they can be safely spared and also because of the high reputation of their distinguished Colonel...I would arm them with great pleasure if I had the arms. But having armed & equipped several full regts. now in Va., and being compelled to keep three full regts. in & about Charleston fully armed, and having also recently ordered into encampment two new regts...for exclusive state service & at state charge...I find it impossible to supply any more. For the arms taken in the late US Arsenal, I sent 6,000 to Florida 2000 to Memphis, Tenn. - 1000 to Lynchburg, Va. This has completely exhausted the supply..."Several original ink blots, otherwise VG. Col. Orr, though having joined up "for the war" rather than for a specific period of service, would resign his commission in 1862 to enter the CSA Senate. As president of a country formed to defend states' rights, Jefferson Davis received requests and demands from governors regarding their local troops that frequently placed state interests above those of the Confederacy. In fact, Gov. Pickens' letter is relatively quite cooperative! (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction

137

Pickens, F. W. Interesting Autograph Letter Signed ""F. W. Pickens"" as governor, 1 page, 4to, on ""State of south Carolina / Head Quarters"" stationery, [Columbia], June 29. 1861. He directs Adjutant General Gist to issue a general order "especially forbidding any officers in our state military of any description, and all men now belonging to any company in the state, to leave the state to join any company in any regt. now in service out of the state, and all recruiting officers are forbid to take any such men off under any pretext unless by special permission..." Ink blot in margin and on blank integral page, otherwise VG. The governments on both sides of the Civil War had to contend with state leaders who wished to maintain control over the soldiers and regiments from within their own borders, but it was much worse in the South, just where the need was most desperate. (Image)

Est. $500-600

CLOSED
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138

Pickens, F.W. Great war content Autograph Letter Signed ""FW Pickens,"" 3 pages, 8vo, on stationery imprinted ""State of South Carolina, / Head Quarters,"" [Columbia, October 15, 1861]. He writes an unnamed recipient, clearly an agent of the SC government at the capital in Richmond, "I sign with pleasure the request to issue the receivable paper authorized under the act for $200,000." He hopes that accounts in Richmond will be audited to ensure the money is used as intended for SC soldiers. "The soldiers have already run through half their supplies, & private contributions particularly of blankets & shirts & drawers are going on to a large extent so that you cannot tell what is needed until each Col. makes his proper requisition...We must hold back on supplies and keep them a secret to ourselves until the hard fact of the winter, & when we can know where they may be needed most...At present there is no suffering in fact. Even all the shoes I sent on are not yet needed...As to the 90 muskets to be paid for to Messrs. Frazier & Co. - they are 90 that Col. Gist got for a company in DeSaussure's Regt...in such a state that it would pass as a number against the Confederate Govt. and if this cannot be done then they are not to be paid for...The price they were offered to us at was $30 although they had sold to Confederate Govt. at $40..." Condition VG/F. From the birth of the United States, states have attempted to avoid spending on anything they could get the federal government to cover, a habit that continued on both sides during the Civil War despite the incredibly high stakes. (Image)

Est. $400-500

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

139

[Pickens] Coastal Defenses Excellent ALS ""Wilmot G. Desaussure / Brig. Genl. Comdg.,"" 1 page, 4to, on blue paper embossed ""Carew,"" Charleston, October 11, 1861. He writes Governor Pickens in Columbia, ""The anxiety of the inhabitants of Christ Church and St. James Santee Parishes for some defense on their exposed sea coast line, and for a preparation to defend which they naturally resort to me as commanding the Brigade within which they are located, induced me to go to Col. Edward Manigault Chief of Ordnance, to ask what guns could be spared, in order that I may be enabled to suggest to Genl. [Roswell] Ripley a plan to allay the anxiety...Col. Manigault informs me that there is one short Eighteen pounder, and that a rifled gun could possibly be bought of Messrs. Cameron & Co. I accordingly called at Cameron & Co. & found that a gun carrying a fifteen pound shot could be bought at six hundred Dollars, without a carriage, but that the 18 pdr carriages would suit it. I ask leave therefore of your Excellency to purchase this..." With Pickens's Autograph Docket on verso of blank integral page, noting that he will consult with militia General States Rights Gist on the matter. Some toning along edges, otherwise very sharp and VG. (Image)

Est. $500-600

CLOSED
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140

Politics: PT Barnum and Others American showman and politician (1810-81); his circus and museum fed (and fed on) the nation's fascination with the extraordinary - or simply bizarre. An unusual 50-page leather-bound Civil War-era Photograph Album with brass clasps, featuring cartes-de-visite Photographs of 72 members of the Connecticut government, primarily its legislature, with a postwar CDV of Ulysses S. Grant, 8 CDVs of an unidentified family (probably that of Thomas W. Wheeler), along with 11 Tintypes from the same family. Beside the photograph of Representative Phineas T. Barnum is tipped a Manuscript Letter Signed "P.T. Barnum," 3/4 page, 8vo, on stationery engraved with an image of his home, "Lindencroft," in Bridgeport, June 30, 1865. He sends Thomas Wheeler his photograph along with one of his museum, as "mementos of our meeting in the Connecticut Legislature this year." Letter foxed and soiled, as is the album in general, though it and its contents are in VG condition. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction