Confederate General - Louisiana

Beauregard commanded the forces which started the Civil War by shelling Fort Sumter, and he went on to serve with distinction at First Manassas, Shiloh, and in the defense of Richmond.

Signature, “G.T. Beauregard,” on a 1 ¾” x 3 ¾” slip of paper.

Mounted, with several wrinkles and light creases.

Confederate General - Louisiana

Bragg saw action at Shiloh before commanding the Army of Tennessee at Perryville, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga.

Autograph Letter Signed, four pages, on a 5” x 8” letter-sheet, signed with initials at the conclusion. While stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S. Army Captain Bragg writes amusingly to his wife of a military court at the post, social and army matters, and her loneliness during his absence.

“Fort Leavenworth, 12 June [18]53. My dear Wife, Three more days have gone by and yet we are in the woods. No idea can be formed of time or tide. Our president takes his whiskey freely with the young subs in the afternoon, and sleeps on the court next morning. When he gets thro’ his nap he moves to adjourn. The Court votes him down, but still it occupies time and delays our progress. In two or three days I hope to give an idea of what we shall do. In the meantime keep cool, if you can. I can’t. The weather is very warm and all attending circumstances are calculated to keep up a fever heat. I had a note from Col. Bliss yesterday. He & Mrs. B. desire their regards to you – but as it has some little gossip that may interest you, and wishing which you may not see I enclose it. The ‘New fangle’ he speaks of was originated by Capt. [George William] Lay, and cost us three days. I have made the acquaintance of a blooming middle aged widow, (next door), and strange to say my sore lips are entirely well! Can you account for it? One leg’d Capt. McRee is stumping around here, having his wife and three children – two grown daughters, with a fiancé and other things to watch, and no means to carry them. He is allowed 600 pounds of baggage and has nearly that much in human flesh. Then old fellow now must be demented, or he would not voluntarily undertake such follies. I am strongly urged by all the young men here to make a campaign in Washington next winter, in order to work on Congress and the fogies, but such an idea will not even be entertained. They have taken up my proposition for pay and printed 500 copies for circulation. In this I took no part, merely heading the paper, & it is not to appear in my name. Dearest Elise, I know how much you feel my absence, and how lost you are without me, but strive against it, dearest, and be as cheerful and contented as possible, and know that not one hour will be lost when I am free. My love & a shower-bath to both puss & my wife – a husband cannot be had for the present & I know of no substitute. Your loving B.B.”

The pages bear light soiling and wear, the usual folds, and several small tape stains at the edges.

Fifteenth U.S. President - 1857-61

Regarding an Invitation - from Future Confederate Spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow

Autograph Letter Signed, on a 4 ¼” x 6 ¾” letter-sheet, regarding a social engagement with future Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow. The undated letter was probably hand-carried, as Buchanan has also noted the recipient, “Mrs. Greenhow,” on the center panel of the final page of the letter-sheet.

“Tuesday Evening. My dear Madam, I regret extremely that it is not in my power to accompany you tonight to Mrs. Ritchie’s. I shall be in the office until a late hour. I hope to enjoy this pleasure tomorrow evening. from your friend, very respectfully, James Buchanan…”

From the time of her marriage in 1835, Rose O’Neal Greenhow was a fixture in Washington society. She and her husband, Dr. Robert Greenhow, were befriended by many prominent politicians of the day, most notably John C. Calhoun, along with several Presidents. In 1852, Mrs. Greenhow returned to Washington from extended stays in Mexico and San Francisco, where her husband died two years later. Her political influence peaked during the presidency of James Buchanan, with whom she developed a close, personal friendship. As his frequent social companion, Mrs. Greenhow easily mixed with the influential politicians and military men from whom she would glean information valuable to the Confederacy in the days leading up to the outbreak of the Civil War.

There are a few scattered stains, along with brushing and bleeding of ink in several areas throughout.

Confederate President; U.S. Secretary of War – Franklin Pierce Administration – 1853-57

Signature, in full on a 5 ¼” x 8 ¾” address leaf, “Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg, Miss[issipp]i. at J.E. Davis, Esqr., Vicksburg, Miss[issipp]i.”

In a rarely seen family association, Davis directs his mail to the care of his older brother and mentor, Joseph Emory Davis, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, perhaps while he was staying or visiting there. Twenty-four years the senior of Jefferson Davis, Joseph Davis was a retired lawyer and successful Mississippi planter - one of the richest men in the state - when the Civil War broke out. His plantation was seized by Union troops during the campaign to take the Confederate stronghold. The property was eventually returned, but Davis resided in Vicksburg until his death in 1870.

The panel bears light, even toning and scattered age staining, with a small tear and several light creases in the margins.

First Lady of the Confederacy

“…When my library and papers were pillaged at my residence in Miss[issippi]i during the war, all my letters from Genl. Z. Taylor were stolen or destroyed…”

Autograph Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, in violet ink, written and signed on behalf of her husband from their Mississippi home, to “A. Silverberg, Esq.” In this letter, Mrs. Davis conveys the former Confederate President’s explanation at being unable to provide an autograph of the former U.S. President, General Zachary Taylor, the father of his first wife, due to their loss when his Mississippi River plantation, Briarfield, was overrun by Union troops during the Civil War.

“Beauvoir, Miss[issipp]i, 28^th Jan. 1884…Dear Sir, When my library and papers were pillaged at my residence in Miss[issipp]i during the war, all my letters from Genl. Z. Taylor were stolen or destroyed so that I regret to say I have not any left. Perhaps his Daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor Dandridge, the only surviving child of Genl. Z. Taylor who lives at Winchester, Virginia might have one, but I cannot say with any certainty that you could obtain one from her. Yours respectfully, Jefferson Davis.”

Condition is excellent overall, with two horizontal folds and a few small stains. The letter is accompanied by the transmittal envelope, from which the postage stamp has been removed, addressed in an unknown hand, to “A. Silverberg, 315 Cal. St., San Francisco, Cal. Room 7, Care O.L. Levy.”

First Lady of the Confederacy

DAVIS, VARINA ANNE (1864-1898)  Daughter of Jefferson & Varina Davis; Known as the “Daughter of the Confederacy”

Signed Album Page, 4” x 7”, “Varina Jefferson Davis.,” also signed and dated by the Davis’s daughter, Winnie, at their Mississippi home, “Varina Anne Davis, Beauvoir, Miss., Nov 5^th 1893,” with the collector’s biographical notations in the lower margin.

Overall condition is excellent, with light, even toning.

Confederate Lieutenant General – Virginia

After graduating from West Point in 1837 and serving in the Mexican War, Early entered the Confederate Army in 1861 and subsequently took part in all the engagements of the Army of Northern Virginia from 1862 through 1864. After the Wilderness and Cold Harbor, Early’s cavalry fought in the Shenandoah Valley until March of 1865.

“On our retreat from Gettysburg, when the condition of the Potomac was such as to require the construction of a pontoon bridge…Flood rendered invaluable services in constructing the bridges at Falling Waters…He took especial delight in burying the Yankees killed in battle …”

Autograph Letter Signed, four pages, on two 5 ¾” x 9” sheets. In a letter of recommendation to former Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard, recently elected commissioner of public works in New Orleans, Early glowingly recounts the Civil War service of 6^th Louisiana Infantry Lieutenant Edward Flood, an engineer in the Confederate Pioneer Corps. Most notably, Early details Flood’s work in the construction of bridges to allow the retreat of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia across the flooded Potomac River after the battle of Gettysburg.

“Lynchburg, V[irgini]a, April 27^th, 1888. Dear General, Capt. Edward Flood, an officer in one of the Louisiana Regiments in my division, formerly Ewell’s, had charge of the pioneer corps for the division, and is one of the most faithful and energetic officers I met with in the war.  It was his duty to open and repair roads, construct bridges, bury the dead, and perform all work of like kind that was necessary, and I found him always him [sic] of invaluable service to me, so much so indeed, that when offered an engineer officer with an engineer company to be attached to my division, I declined the offer, preferring to retain Flood with his pioneer corps. On our retreat from Gettysburg, when the condition of the Potomac was such as to require the construction of a pontoon bridge, and the engineer officers were inexperienced in that way, Flood rendered invaluable services in constructing the bridges at Falling Waters, and after the trains and troops had crossed there closely pursued by the enemy, and there was no one willing to cut the bridge loose on the side next the enemy, so as to allow it to swing around, Flood volunteered to do the work and accomplished it successfully. Subsequently, when we left the [Shenandoah] Valley, after the same campaign, several pontoon trains were sent under my charge, with several engineer officers accompanying them, to cross the Shenandoah River where they would be out of mark of the enemy, and as the River had risen considerably, it became necessary to lay down a pontoon bridge to enable my troops to cross. Though there were several engineer officers present who ranked Flood, neither of them seemed to understand the practical work of laying down the bridge, and Flood took charge of it, and in my view discharged in a most admirable and efficient manner. I never found him wanting on any occasion, and he was of invaluable service to me. He took especial delight in burying the Yankees killed in battle, and always reported to me the number he had buried. I do not wish to infer that I desire to influence you in the bestowal of the patronage attached to the office to which you have been elected, for that is a matter with which I have no concern, but when called on to testify as to the merits of a faithful Confederate soldier, I cannot decline. I will add that, in the performance of the duties attached to your office, you could not find a more faithful and efficient assistant than Captain Flood. Very Respectfully Your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t, J.A. Early.”

Both sheets bear light, even toning, a few superficial edge tears, and several folds and light creases. There is somewhat heavier soiling and wear to the letter’s final page. 

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, written from the Johnson’s Island camp for Confederate prisoners of war by 29^th Tennessee Infantry Lieutenant William W. Dodd, to his aunt, Mary Girdner. Transcibed with spelling eccentricities intact, as follows:

“Johnson’s Island, Ohio, Jan. 30^th 1865. Dear Aunt, Your letter of the 19^th inst. was received the 28^th containing $20.00, Dollars & 3 postage stamps. I can’t say that I am supprised, for it is consistant with the character you have always bourn by those who have had the good fortune to make your acquaintance. No I am not supprised; but greatly accommodated. I could not have asked the favor had I not the assurance of being accommodated. And I again promise to return the amount at as early a day as practicable; but I neve[r] expect to be able to pay you the debt of gratitude I owe you. My health is some what better than it was when I last wrote you though I am quite feble yet! I have recently caught a severe cold which is hurtful as well as inconvenient. I haven’t yet heard from home, nor do not expect to soon, as Mother lives on disputed territory. first one and then the other side occupy that portion of the country. I have been informed that all the citizens prisoners of E. Tenn have been released including Dr. Wm. Girdner & E. Link. Some of my E. Tenn friends that are here (in confinement) occationally get letters from home but none of recent date generally about 3 months old. I will expect the address of Cousins Ephraim & John in your next. It seems to me that in the history Grandfather Girdner gave me their names; also the address & christian name of Uncle Isaac’s widow. As I have but little to do, it affords me a great pleasure to occupy my time in writing to my friends abroad. You spoke of a desire to say many things, but could not on account of the limit. You can overcome that difficulty to some extent by getting larger paper or otherwise write across the whole sheete let me hear from you soon again. Very Respectfully your Nephew Lt. Wm. W. Dodd, Block 12, Company 26, Mess No. 2, Johnson’s Island Ohio.”

Ironically, the cousins mentioned by Dodd, presumably Mrs. Girdner’s sons, are John Girdner and Ephraim Girdner, both Union soldiers serving in Indiana infantry units.

Accompanied by the transmittal envelope, addressed by Dodd to “Mrs. Mary Girdner, Greeneville, Indiana,” with a Sandusky, Ohio postmark and Johnson’s Island censor’s stamp.

Confederate General & Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

Returning the Remains of a Young Lieutenant Who Died in Texas to His Father in Pennsylvania

“Hon[ora]ble John Dick, Meadville, P[ennsylvani]a. Camp in Clear fork of Brazos, 13 July 1857. Dear Sir, Having seen a statement in the papers that the letters that had reached Indianola from about the 20 to the 30 May had all been lost in the mails shipped aboard the Steamer Louisiana, & as my letter to you of the 6 May should have been at Indianola about that time, I have determined to send to you a Copy, that you might see why your letter of 10 Sept. [18]’56 had been so long unack[nowledge]d, should the original have been lost, & that I had given such attention to your inquiries as I was able. I hope my letter of the 19^th May reached you safely, & that you will have rec[eive]d w[ith] this the remains of your Son, forw[arde]d at that time to the Messrs. Thorps, who were also written to. I made arrangements for their shipment from Indianola, & have heard of their safe passage through San Antonio. With Sentiments of esteem & respect I am very resp[ectfull]y your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t, R.E. Lee.”

During a forty-day expedition which scouted the headwaters of the Colorado, Brazos, and Wichita rivers, begun in early June, 1856, the four cavalry squadrons in Lee’s command had several encounters with hostile Comanche Indians. The available records indicate that Lieutenant Dick died at Camp Cooper on July 31, 1856 - just eight days after Lee’s return.  It is unknown if he died of wounds received during the expedition, or due to an illness or an injury that occurred at the notoriously harsh Camp Cooper.

The letter is in excellent condition, with slight discoloration along portions of the usual folds and superficial paper breaks at their intersections.

American Sculptor

Signed Photograph, 7 ½” x 10”, “To Charles C. Curran – The War Horse in Art. H.A. MacNeil, S.C.” The photograph is of MacNeil’s sculpture to the Confederate Defenders of Charleston, South Carolina during the American Civil War, and was inscribed to noted American artist Charles C. Curran shortly before the dedication of the monument on October 20, 1932.

The reverse bears MacNeil’s further handwritten notation, “Study. Defensive Monument, Sumter Park, Charleston, S.C. H.A. MacNeil, S.C. 1931,” and the stamp, “The Capitol Photo Studios, 617 – 2^nd Avenue, College Point, L[ong] I[sland].”

There are a few small stains in the margins, and the reverse bears heavier glue staining from past mounting.

Confederate Secretary of the Navy; Democratic U.S. Senator – Florida - 1851-61

Autograph Letter Signed, 9” x 11”, to “H.M. Morfit, Esq., Washington.” As a young Key West attorney, Mallory recounts the details and eccentricities in the settlement of a lawsuit.

"…Key West, Dec. 12, 1844. Dear Sir: Enclosed I have the pleasure of handing to you a draft on the Treasury Department for $2319.95., this being the amount of money recovered from Mr. F.A. Browne, for Mr. Thornton, less the expenses of collection and the purchase of the draft, a statement of which expenses I annex. I received the money in the currency of this Island, Spanish doubloons at $17 and Sovreigns [sic] at $5. A considerable loss would be sustained by shipping these coins to you, and I have therefore obtained from a friend the draft, at ½% less than its market value. We may congratulate ourselves on at length realizing this money, for it is the least, I fear, that Mr. B’s reduced circumstances will enable him to pay. From the inception of the suit, to its final liquidation, every step has been contested by him, and every means to protract or avoid payment, have been resorted to. He twice carried the cause, on different points, to the Court of Appeals, and nothing but constant watchfulness and industry has enabled me to collect it. Be pleased to answer this at your earliest convenience & oblige Y[ou]r Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t, S.R. Mallory.”

The letter is accompanied by a second sheet of the same dimension, on which Mallory has itemized the receipts and expenses in the case.

Both sheets have light toning and soiling in the margins, a few edge chips and tears, and the usual folds. The lower left corners of both sheets, excised at some point in time, have been professionally filled.

Confederate Colonel – 9^th Virginia Infantry; First Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute – 1839-89

Document Signed, 5 ¾” x 9 ¼”, October 1, 1870, ”Francis H. Smith,” as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, a partly printed quarterly report for Cadet J. Sims. On the inside third page of the letter-sheet, Cadet Sims’s nineteen demerits, accrued from September 10 through September 25, have been noted: “…Joining Corps on Hill, 2…Trunk in room, 5…Abs[ent] from Reville, 3…Loitering near Gus House, 5…Sweeping out in Study hours, 3…Late at Inspection, 1.”

There is minor wear along the folds, and a one-inch tear at the left edge of the horizontal fold at the center results in no loss of paper.

Confederate Vice President - Georgia

Despite his unionist stance as congressman from Georgia, Stephens followed his native state to the Confederacy, becoming a representative in the Provisional Congress, a position he retained even after assuming the Vice Presidency. After the war, he returned to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1873 through 1882.

Signed as Confederate Commissioner the Day Before Meeting with Lincoln at the Hampton Roads Peace Conference

Civil War-Date Signature, on a light 1 ¾” x 3 ¼” card, as Confederate Commissioner to the Hampton Roads Peace Conference. Requesting a meeting with President Lincoln to discuss a possible termination of the war, Confederate Vice President Stephens and the two other representatives were passed through the Federal lines at Petersburg by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant on January 30, 1865. They awaited instruction from Lincoln at Grant’s City Point, Virginia headquarters, and it is undoubtedly while there that Stephens signed this card.

“Alexander H. Stephens, Con[federate] States Com[missione]r, City Point, V[irgini]a. 2 Feb. 1865.”

On February 3, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward met with the Confederate commissioners, Vice President Alexander H. Stephens, Senator R.M.T. Hunter, and Assistant Secretary of War John A. Campbell, on a steamer in Hampton Roads, Virginia to discuss the prospects of a negotiated peace. The Confederacy’s insistence on independence, dismissed outright by Lincoln, and disagreement over emancipation of the slaves doomed the conference to failure. All three commissioners were arrested by Federal authorities and imprisoned for several months after the war.

While Stephens manuscripts from both before and after the Civil War are common, autographs as Confederate Vice President during the war period are only occasionally seen. This card, from the historic peace conference near the war’s end, is the only such example I’ve encountered.

The card bears light, even toning, along with minor glue staining at the edges, from its being affixed to a slightly larger card.

Confederate Commissioner to Canada; U.S. Interior Secretary – 1857-61; U.S. Congressman – Mississippi - 1839-51

Signature, “J. Thompson,” on a 1 ½” x 2 ½” slip of paper, removed from a letter, with the notation, “Secy. of the Interior in Buchanan’s Administration,” in another hand beneath.