Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, as U.S. Representative from Missouri, detailing the specifics of a land purchase.

“Wash[ington]

Mrs. Carroll,

D[ea]r Madam,

Mr. Bonifant sold me a small portion of the land he bought of you to straighten the line as he desired at $100 per acre before I consented to buy the part I bought.  I do not know how much but Mrs. [?] does – these few acres being paid for by Bonifant at $100 per acre come to me at that price from him as by agreement, but is to be included in your deed to me.  The three hundred dollars withheld, is to cover the difference in price between the few acres bought of Bonifant & the main body I bought of you.  The $300 will cover that am[oun]t as well as the Supposed deficit in am[oun]t of land surveyed & off[ered] to me.

Y[ours] ob[edientl]y,
F.P. Blair

19 February [18]64].

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few minor stains, the expected folds, and a small area of paper loss in the upper left corner.

Signed Photograph, “Arno Breker,” a 4” x 5 ¾” postally unused postcard.  Black & white.

Excellent.

Autograph Letter Signed, on 6” x 9” Indianapolis, Indiana hotel stationery; no year, but from later life, sending condolences to an old friend.

“May 31.

Dear Mrs. Nyeth,

My nephew Ed Adam gave me your address yesterday, so I am writing you to give you my heartly [sic] Sympathy in the loss of your dear father.  He was my oldest & best friend & we all loved him.

God be with you,
Jno. L. Clem.
__________________________________

Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds and a few tiny tears at the edges.

Civil War-Date Letter Signed

Letter Signed, on imprinted 8” x 9 ¾” official stationery, directing Captain James S. Abeel of the need to renew his bond for service in the Ordnance Department.

“Ordnance Office

War Department, Washington.  Nov[ember] 16, 1864

Capt[ain] J.S. AbeelMil[itary] Stporekeeper, U.S. Arsenal
Rome, N[ew] Y[ork]

Sir:

Your attention is called to Paragraph 989 General Regulations of the Army which requires that Official Bonds shall be renewed every four years.

Your present Bond bears date 26 March 1860 and should be replaced as soon as practicable.

Respectfully
Your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t
A.B. Dyer
Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Ch[ie]f [of] Ord[nance]”

Lightly and evenly toned, with the expected folds and minor staining; several pencil notations; old mounting remnants in the corners of the reverse.

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”.  As a second-term U.S. representative from New York, Fillmore solicits Secretary of War Joel Poinsett in the discharge of a constituent’s son from his enlistment.  A lengthy report on the reverse is signed by longtime U.S. Army Adjutant General Roger Jones.

“House of Rep[resentatives]
July 6, 1840

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose a letter from James Sheldon, Esq[uire], a counsellor at Law residing in the city of Buffalo, N.Y. with an affidavit of Mr. & Mrs. Brooks, on which they ask to have his son, a lad of 18, discharged from his enlistment into the merited Service of that place.

As I shall soon leave, your earliest attention to this application will greatly oblige,

Your most ob[edien]t ser[van]t,
Millard Fillmore

Hon[orable] J.R. Poinsett

P.S. Please return Mr. Sheldon’s letter.”

Somewhat heavier toning from past matting at the edges; an old tear at the upper right corner, along with clean separation at the edges of two horizontal folds, is repaired on the reverse; several chips at the left edge and corner of the integral leaf.

Very Rare Autograph Letter Signed – returning the remains of a West Point classmate, mortally wounded at the Mexican War Battle of Churubusco

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, to “Mr. Francis Bacon, Alfred, M[ain]e,” returning the remains of his brother, Lieutenant John Danforth Bacon, who died on October 12, 1847 from wounds received at the Mexican War Battle of Churubusco.

“New Orleans, March 13, 1848.

D[ea]r Sir:

Captain Monroe having left the city unexpectedly for a short time, he requested me to say to you in his behalf – that the remains of your brother had been shipped on the Lapland to Boston, directed to the care of U.S. Acting Assistant Quarter Master at that place.  She sailed about the 9^[th] Inst[ant].

Before closing this letter, permit me to offer you my sincere sympathy for the loss of your brother, who besides belonging to the same Regiment, was associated with me many years at the Military Academy.  I always esteemed his as one of my dearest friends & it is a source of comfort to know that he met his fate like a soldier – surrounded by those who loved him as a brother.

I am very truly yours,
R.B. Garnett,
L[ieutenan]t 6^th Inf[antr]y.
U.S.A.
New Orleans

Excellent overall, with the expected original folds.

Civil War-Date Signature

As Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

LEE, ROBERT EDWARD (1807-70)  Confederate General & Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

GARNETT, ROBERT SELDEN (1819-61)  Confederate Brigadier General; Killed-in-Action at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford, Virginia, July 13, 1861 - the first general officer to be killed during the American Civil War; Veteran of the Mexican & Seminole Wars

TOTTEN, JOSEPH GILBERT (1788-1864)  Union Brigadier General during the American Civil War; Veteran of the War of 1812 & the Mexican War

Endorsement Signed, as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, “Approved, R.E. Lee, Captain Corps Eng[ineer]s & B[revet] Col[onel, Sup[erintenden]t M[ilitary] A[cademy],” on a 3 ½” x 7” portion of a letter from Robert S. Garnett, whose signature and rank are at upper right: “R.S. Garnett, Capt[ain] 7^th Inf[antry] & B[revet] Maj[or], Com[mandant] of Corps of Cadets.”  Also endorsed by longtime U.S. Army Officer Joseph Totten beneath, “Eng[inee]r Department, July 7, 1853.  Approved, Jos. G. Totten.”

Several light creases and a few minor stains detract very little.

Autograph Document Signed, 8” x 10”, Fort Hamilton, New York, June 2, 1846, “R.E. Lee, Capt[ain] Eng[inee]rs,” a partly printed requisition for supplies sold to the U.S. Army for use at the installation.  The hardware being purchased is enumerated in Lee’s hand on the front, as is a three-line docket beneath his signature on the reverse.  While serving as post engineer at Fort Hamilton, 1841-46, Lee is credited with the design and construction of several New York-area fortifications, notably Fort Richmond, Fort Tompkins, and the forts at Willetts Point and Sandy Hook.

Seldom seen in its entire form, as Lee’s signature and four lines of print preceding it are often excised and sold as a smaller document.  Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds, several minor stains and paper breaks.

Signed First Day Cover, 3 ¾” x 6 ½”, “Joe McCarthy,” with an October 8, 1956, Appleton, Wisconsin postmark and an ironic “PRAY FOR PEACE” cancellation.  Co-signed beneath by local Postmaster Francis H. Sumnicht and two other notables.

Excellent, with light, even toning.

Signed First Day Cover, 3 ¾” x 6 ½”, “Joe McCarthy,” with an October 8, 1956, Appleton, Wisconsin postmark and an ironic “PRAY FOR PEACE” cancellation.  Co-signed beneath by local Postmaster Francis H. Sumnicht and two other notables.

Excellent, with light, even toning.

Civil War-Date Autograph Document Signed – Rations for Grant’s teamsters before the Battle of the Wilderness

Autograph Document Signed, 6 ¾” x 11”, partly printed, Culpeper, Virginia, May 2, 1864, “By command of Lieu[tenan]t Gen[era]l Grant, E.S. Parker, Ass[istan]t Adj[tan]t Gen[era]l.”  Just three days before the Overland Campaign commenced at the Battle of the Wilderness, Parker, as General Grant’s adjutant, approves rations for thirteen men employed as teamsters in the Quartermasters Department of Grant’s Headquarters.  With the exception of the signature of Captain Henry Warner Janes, formerly of the 55^th Illinois Infantry, at lower right, remaining manuscript portions of the document are also in Parker’s hand.

Overall condition is very good, with heavier toning and minor staining at three vertical folds.

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed

POPE, JOHN (1822-92)  Union Major General; Led the Union Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Second Bull Run

KIRKWOOD, SAMUEL JORDAN (1813-94)  U.S. Secretary of the Interior – 1881-82; Governor of Iowa – 1860-64 & 1876-77; U.S. Senator – Iowa – 1866-67 & 1877-81

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 9 ¾”.  Transferred to the Department of the Northwest, Pope requests the appointment of a staff officer from Iowa Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood.

“Milwaukee [Wisconsin], April 20/[18]63. 

My dear Sir,

I am desirous of placing on my Staff Mr. Wm. C. Perkins, the son of an old friend.  He has served throughout the present hostilities and is a young man eminently worthy.

I am not able however to give him such a place unless he can get the app[ointment]t of Lieut[enant] in some regiment.

May I ask you to give him an appointment as 1^st Lieut[enant] in some one of the Iowa regiments.

If you can do so you will confer a great personal favor upon me which I shall be at all times glad to acknowledge.

If you can accede to my request, please send his appointment enclosed to me.

I am very Dear Sir very respectfully
Your Serv[an]t 
Jno. Pope,
Maj[or] Gen[era]l U.S.A.

Hon[orable] S[amuel] J. Kirkwood
Gov[ernor] of Iowa
Iowa City.”

The reverse bears two initialed notations of Governor Kirkwood, “Adj[utan]t Gen[era]l Baker, I wish very much to gratify Gen[eral] Pope.  Can you arrange it in some way?  S.J.K.”; “Wrote him. S.J.K.,” along with a signed, handwritten endorsement from the adjutant general.

Overall condition is very good, with heavier wear and toning at the usual vertical and horizontal folds.

Civil War-Date Letter Signed – preparing for the Battle of Iuka

Letter Signed, 8 ½” x 10 ½”, to “Hon[orable] Jno. J. Pettus, Governor of Mississippi,” informing Pettus of the disposition of troops sent to reinforce the militia shortly before the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi, September 19, 1862, resulting in Price’s defeat by Union General Wiliam S. Rosecrans.  Docketed on the reverse, presumably by Governor Pettus: “Gen[eral] Price writes in regard to his order to supply Militia & transmit copy of said order.”

“H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs Dist[rict] of the Tennessee
Tupelo [Mississippi], September 5, 1862

Governor,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1^st inst[ant]; delivered to me by Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Harris, & to say that I have issued the necessary orders for the supply of the Militia that have been reported to me, with subsistence, Camp & Garrison equipage, Arms & ammunition.

A copy of these orders are enclosed for your information.  Again thanking your Excellency for Your prompt attention to my request.

I am very respectfully,
Your ob[e]d[ien]t S[er]v[an]t,

Sterling Price

Maj[or] Gen[era]l
Com[mandin]g Dist[rict] of the Tennessee.”

Sound overall, with two horizontal folds; smearing of ink at the conclusion; text is unaffected by age spotting at the edges.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, an 8” x 10” folded four-page letter sheet, Richmond, Virginia, March 24, 1862, Geo. W. Randolph,” to “O. Sibley, Jr., Esq[uire], 3[r]d Ala[bama] Reg[imen]t, Care G.T. Lathrop, Engineer Bureau.”  On an official, imprinted Confederate form, Randolph forwards an important printed Circular from previous War Secretary Judah P. Benjamin, included on the subsequent pages, detailing the provisions for the enlistment of volunteers.  A further notation beneath is initialed “G.W.B.”  The upper left corners of both leaves bear circular embossing with Virginia’s “SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS” motto.

Overall condition is very good, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds; minor smearing of ink at the conclusion of Randolph’s signature.

Civil War-Date Autograph

Signature & Rank, “John F. Reynolds, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l Vol[unteer]s,” on  a 1” x 3” portion of a larger document, dated “1862” in an unidentified hand at lower left.

An excellent early-war example, with the rank Reynolds held from August 20, 1861 until promotion to major general, effective November 29, 1862.

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ½”, “J.M. Rusk,” with bevelled edges and rounded corners.

Excellent, with light, even toning; old mounting remnants on the reverse.

Signature, as U.S. Representative from New York, “E. Sherrill, Shandaken, N. York,” on a 2 ¾” x 5” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned; somewhat closely trimmed at the upper edge.

Civil War-Date Letter Signed – a resident seeks a pass to visit family in the Confederate town just two weeks before the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia – December 11-15, 1862

Letter Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, as Civil War Interior Secretary in the cabinet of Abraham Lincoln.  Addressing army Commander-in-Chief Henry Wager Halleck, Smith seeks a pass for “a loyal man” of the town shortly before the pivotal Civil War battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“Dep[artmen]t of the Interior
Wash[ington], Nov[ember] 24, 1862

Sir,

The Bearer Mr. C.B. Cole of Fredericksburg Vir[ginia] desires to visit his family who are residing there.  He is a loyal man of that State and you will gratify me very much if you will furnish him with the proper pass.

Very Respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Caleb B. Smith

Maj[or] Gen[era]l Halleck
Commander in Chief, & c.”

Excellent, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds.

Document Signed, 8 ¼” x 10”, an early manuscript Frederick County, Maryland court filing, recommending the admission of a man as an attorney; docketed “15^th February 1811” on the reverse.         

“To the Hon[ora]ble the Judges of Frederick County Court.  The subscribers appointed by the court to report on the application of Mr. Addison White to be admitted as a member of the Bar, do hereby respectfully certify to the court that it is their opinion Mr. White should be admitted to qualify as an attorney of Frederick County Court.  John Harison Thomas.  R.B. Taney.”

Exhibiting the usual folds and light toning, with heavier wear, staining, and chipping at the corners and edges.