If you have material that you feel would fit our History Gallery, please contact Rob Morin at rm@net1plus.com or 978-597-6935, David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com, or Lynn Morin at lfm@aaawt.com or 978-597-8084.

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IMPORTANT ROBERT E LEE WAR DATE LETTER

Civil War, Confederate States War Dale Letters Between R E Lee and Two Trusted Generals

ALS (3) Jubal Early Major. Gen R. S., Ewell, Lt. Gen, and R. E. Lee, Commanding General C.S.

This series of letters began on March 31, 1864 and was concluded on April 1, 1864 at Confederate headquarters for the Army of Northern Virginia. This correspondence was prior the Wilderness campaign, and concerns the court martial and subsequent dismissal of desertion charges against Col William Raine Peck of the Co E. of the Louisiana 9th Infantry.

Peck entered the war as a captain, and earned subsequent promotions to Lt. Col and full Colonel as the war progressed. It appears that during the transition and consolidation of the Louisiana forces into the "Consolidated Louisiana", Peck took the opportunity to return home in the hopes of making some order of his family plantation, a one time icon of Southern Ante-bellum Commerce in nearby Milliken Bend, Louisiana. Apparently the urgency of the Southern War Administration to assemble forces somehow triggered a punitive action against Peck as he was unable to return on the scheduled date for circumstances that are quite understandable with all that was going on at the time. It appears that Peck discovered his homestead, which once housed a large slave population with a $20-30,000 annual income, was now the center of operation for Grant's forces in the Louisiana area, and his slave had been either released or relocated. With nothing more than Danish Bonds, Peck seems to have taken time past his approved leave in order to set his finances and family in order. One would expect that this may be a problem encountered quite often as the Northern occupation took root and spread throughout the South.

In a series of letters defending Peck, it is apparent that he was highly regarded in the commanding ranks, as the first letter of 2 full pages in the hand of Jubal Early, Maj. Gen, was an uncompromising appeal for Peck's amnesty, and full support for his immediate return to fighting status. Unfortunately, this letter is badly faded, and can only be read by artificial enhancement through computer contrasting. Regardless, the letter is important, complete, and legible with enough desire. The paper is patched on the verso, on which a portion of Ewell's reponse is written.

In response, Richard Ewell wrote a supporting letter (ALS), which is now laid down on Early's letter. He too is uncompromising in his support for Peck, and appeals to Robert E Lee for support. This letter is bright and bold, and if not for the context, could be framed and enjoyed by itself.

In juxtaposition to Ewell's letter is a wonderful, lengthy letter (ALS) of support from Commanding General Robert E Lee, granting leniency for Colonial Peck with all charges dismissed. Lee's letter is bold and bright, with Lee's full "R. E Lee" in his best script

Note: The transcription of Early's letter is not exact, as there are minor portions not included. With some patience, the additional words are legible and can be added to the transcript:

Letters read as follows: (SIC)

Headquarters, Early Division March 31, 1864

I respectfully ask that the commanding General will send back the charges against Colonel Peck, 9th Louisiana Regiment, he is known as a gentleman and a faithful officer in the service, exceedingly scrupulous about the performance of his duty and in regard to the truth of all his statements. The statement of Colonel Peck giving his excuse for overstaying his leave is that when the trains commenced moving he went to the cars to get on the trains but found them so crowded by persons who had been detained in Richmond that he could not get on.

Colonel Peck at the beginning of the war was a large planter at Milliken Bend, Louisiana with an annual income between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. He came into the service in the summer of 1861. His plantation was the theatre of Grant's principle operation in which he was preparing for the attack on Vicksburg-many of his negroes were taken by the enemy. The others who remained true to him went to Texas and to Tennessee where Colonel Peck's father and mother lived, during the recent operations in Tennessee his father and mother were left inside the enemy's lines and the object of his was to find out their conditions and make provisions for them when the Army fell back from General Longstreet. Some of his servants who had remained faithful had managed to conceal provisions ample to prevent his mother and father from suffering-some gold and some silver which his father managed to save enabled then to provide for their wants. The object of his trip to Richmond was to raise money for supporting the servants and providing for his parents in the event that the presence of the enemy should again place them in need of assistance.

The only means he had for providing funds for the purpose was the sale of some Danish bonds he had tried to sell them but he could find no purchasers as the bankers in Richmond knew nothing of them. He found opportunity of disposing of his bonds with a Kentucky member of Congress. Colonel Peck joined the company of militia for the defense of Richmond and spent the night in their trenches. I think under the circumstances of this case and the peculiar incidents operating upon Colonel Peck which all persons are incapable to escape, that all charges against him should be dismissed. In his case the misfortune resulting from a relief from duty has been more punishment for him than any penalty likely to be inflicted by a Court Martial. Respectfully,

J .A. Early Maj .Gen'l Comdg.

Lt. Col. W.H. Taylor A.A.G. {Gen'l Lee's Adjutant}

Headquarters Second Army Corp April 1, 1864

Respectfully forwarded-Colonel Peck made a statement of the within causes for his absence to me with the request that I would give my opinion of the case in a private letter-thus he was willing if required to give them to the General Commanding. I stated that I considered his reasons sufficient, but the trial was ordered without calling for further statements.

R.S. Ewell Lt. Gen'l

April 1, 1864

Respectfully returned-It is not believed that this officer [from the character given him by his superiors} would intentionally violate an existing order; and it is hoped that in the future he and all others will be more particular in getting the certificates required in regulations, if prevented from returning to their commands by sickness and applying for an extension of their leave of absence, if circumstances rendered their furlough stay necessary. The charges will be dismissed

R.E. Lee Gen'l

It is very rare to find 3 letters, especially letters by those so closely connected to Lee, on the same subject. It is apparent that Lee was not only faced with a decision of ethical and moral reasoning, but also one of practical matters as he held dear every soldier and officer in his command. An important look into a difficult decision made by Lee towards the end of the war.

Price: $12,900

ACD

Autograph Book of Carrie Morfit, Baltimore, MD.
1864

82 PP.; 6-inches by 3.75-inches; 157 entries of CS POWs; leather covered with entries ink on paper. Also included is a charming 2-inch by 3.5-inch Stars and Bars Confederate flag, apparently POW made of scraps and thread, exhibiting significant display potential.

This autograph book contains approximately 157 autographs and annotations of Confederate company grade officers held at the Prisoner of War camp at Point Lookout, Maryland. The camp, known for conditions of squalor and hardship, gave nothing in amenities to Andersonville, yet the prisoners display remarkable spirit and hope in their entries despite their lack of good fortune.

The accompanying flag is apparently POW made, and is configured in the form of the Stars and Bars with a 10-stitched star on blue canton, with 2 red and 1 white bar. Although fragile and having some fraying to the white bar, this tiny parade type flag would find its place amongst the best of collections.

The book was sent to Carrie Morfit by Lt H J Cartright of the Alabama Volunteers in June of 1864. It is unknown whether Cartright was a friend or something other, but he apparently felt that Carrie would appreciate the sentiments. It is suggestive to the reader that one or more entry may have been meant for her.

Many of the names in Carrie's book are those of officers captured at Cheshire, Ohio while serving in General John Hunt Morgan's division. During this fruitless "raid", which occurred July 2 - 26th, 1863, most of Morgan's force was captured, killed or reported missing. After the raid Morgan was never again as useful to the Confederacy.
There are also the names of officers who were captured at Shiloh in 1862, as well as Gettysburg, Spotsylvania Court House, Petersburg and places in between.

Following are some sample entries, although a full reading is the only way to truly appreciate the richness and importance of the text:

W. Kendall, 1st Lieut., Co.A, 3rd Ky Cav. From Pilot Point, Denton County, Texas had a wife and 3 children "...from whom I have not heard since the 18th of Jan 1863: but am content knowing that they are in the hands of Him by whose aid we expect eventually to succeed in the present struggle for independence..."

Benj. J. Lancaster, Lieut., Co. K, 8th Ky Cav. From Lebanon, Kentucky:
"...When the war is o'er
And not before
Will I go home
Base cowards shrink
Fools stop to think
Till Freedom is gone"

John D. Boyan, 1st Lieut., Co. A, 6th Regt. Ky Cav. From Danville, Boyle Co. Ky.
"...I am twenty six years at age unmarried, but hope soon to see the independence of my country recognized, peace established when I can ask some fair one to accompany me along the remaining portion of life's journey."

Francis A Boyle, 1st Lt & Adjt, 32 N.C. I. From Plymouth, N.C.
"There are three things that I desire with an exceeding longing - a Sword, a Wife, and my Freedom"

Lieutenant Bills of the 32nd Miss. Vol. Regt. Wrote:
"...was captured near Lafayette, Ga on the 10th of Sept / '63 while on picket - Have been a beneficiary of the generous kindness of the many lady friends of Confed. [sic] Prisoners and feel truly grateful."

Price: $14,500

ANDREW J. TATE ANSWERED THE ROLE CALL OF THE DEVINE COMMANDER AND WAS MUSTERED OUT SEPTEMBER 27, 1897

COMRADE TATE WAS MADE A FREE AMERICAN CITIZEN BY THE EMANCIPATION PROCLIMATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Memorial Testament:

This handwritten memorial is dedicated to "Comrade Andrew J. Tate", a member of the Gordon Forrest Command No. 12 of the Union Veterans' Union.

Former Union soldiers who felt that the GAR had too many members who had spent little time in the service and no time in actual front line combat formed the Union Veterans' Union in 1886. Unlike the GAR, which encouraged black veterans to form their own posts, the UVU was an integrated organization. This explains why the document notes that Andrew J. Tate "...was made a free American citizen by the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln..." According to the citation, Tate served as a soldier in the First United States Heavy Artillery Regiment.

Albert W. Mann, who wrote History of the 45th Regiment, M. V. M., the "Cadet Regiment", and who served in the 45th during the Civil War, signs the document. It is also signed by Lewis Ripley, who served in the 18th and 32nd Mass. Infantry, and by Charles E. Tompson. The post is named after Sergeant Gordon Forrest, who was killed at Blackburn's Ford in 1861, while serving with the 1st Mass. Infantry. Forrest was from Malden, Mass.

Tate certainly would have had to produce documentation to join the UVU, more so than if he joined the GAR. The UVU, had as a written requirement, limited its ranks to men who had seen at least six months' active duty, including time at the front, declaring "Into our ranks no man can come who has not heard the zip, zip of the Minies, or dodged the screaming shell..." To become a member, Tate only need met the requirements of the UVU, and could have been a member of any U.S. Colored Troop of the war.

Our research produced one Andrew Jackson Tate who was born at Wilson, Tennessee in 1827 and died...whereabouts unknown...in 1897, and to several other Tate's who fought for the Union cause. We are reluctant to definitively assign this genealogical information to a specific A. J. Tate, and encourage the future owner of the rare document to embark on a personal journey of discovery. In addition to the focal document, we offer a nice accumulation of related Tate family material found with the document, and suggest this additional material will offer great assistance in leading any researcher to the correct attribution.

Accompanying the Union Veterans Union memoriam are family documents:
- Five pre 1919 letters to and from family members.
- Two mortgages granted by Massachusetts's financial institutions.
- Seven covers with stamps addressed to Orlando Tate from various mines.
- One receipt to Carroll Tate related to receiving money from a mine claim.
- One hand written conveyance of mine stock; O.F. Tate to Carroll Tate.
- Five pre 1917 receipts; Orlando Tate purchasing mining stocks.
- Approximately twelve reports to share holders related to mine investments.
- One Salvation Army Band Member's Commission to Harmon Tate-1933
- Six Malden Massachusetts High School band concert programs-1930's.
- Inscribed on various documents are other names...all ancestors of Tate.

The above listed documents seem to suggest that the younger (Andrew's son?) Reverend Orlando Tate was investing money in dry holes out west.

This project will bring out the Sherlock Holmes in any adventurous researcher. This remarkable manuscript tribute to a former slave, emancipated by Lincoln, who in return fought for the Union cause is a rarely found tangible tribute to our American History.... fully embodying the American principles of freedom and the very soul of our American Heritage. The tribute to Tate could easily be the centerpiece of any Civil War, Abolitionist, Emancipation or Lincoln collection.

This 7.5 by 9.625-inch "mustering out" manuscript document remains in fine condition with typical folds and edge wear.

Price: $1,450

ACD

Anti-Greenback Broadside And 'Absolute Irredeemable Money'

Late in the first year of the Civil War, the U. S. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase (for whom the Chase Manhattan Bank was named) informed Congress "...the Treasury is nearly empty..." Acting for Lincoln, Chase asked Congress to approve the printing of legal tender, paper money that would be used in place of gold or silver.

There was considerable antipathy towards the idea of the government issuing what many called "fiat" money and many feared it would bring on rapid inflation. Going back to Andrew Jackson's administration, U. S. Presidents had been uniformly opposed to such a money system. Lincoln, who as a Congressman had seen the need for the creation of some type of legal tender, now saw an opportunity, with the barrel of a Confederate gun threatening the Union, to put such a system into place. Even with Lincoln's clever maneuvering and the Confederate threat, there was much rancorous debate. Many, in and out of Congress, felt that passing such a law would be against the Constitution. In the end pragmatism carried the day and Congress passed the Legal Tender Act, which allowed the government to print money not redeemable in silver or gold, but legal tender for all public or private debts.

The first notes were printed in green ink on one side and featured a portrait of the Secretary of the Treasury. There are two popular theories explaining why the relatively unknown Chase was so honored. One is that Chase harbored ambitions to become President, and saw the mass distribution of his portrait as an excellent way to gain public recognition. Another theory is that the wily Lincoln, knowing of Chase's ambitions and also knowing the public unpopularity of the "fiat" money encouraged the placing of Chase's portrait in order to diminish his chances of gaining the nomination in 1864. At any rate Lincoln was eventually able to eliminate Chase as a rival by appointing him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The 9.875 by 6.5-inch broadside "HOW ARE YOU GREEN-BACKS?" is printed in black on newsprint; copy is surrounded by a woodcut border which features a black man playing the "bones" opposite a man dressed in an amalgam of immigrant's costume in the upper corners and an overweight banker or politician with a mug opposite a rustic in a fur cap whittling in the lower corners. A lozenge on the bottom reads H. DE MARSAN, Publisher, 54 Chatham Street, New-York. De Marsan had a history of publishing these types of ditties dealing with all sorts of political and social issues. De Marsan has been credited with writing some of them. This one, which is virulently anti - greenback, is a take off on the popular song "We're Coming Father Abraham". That song dealt with volunteers flooding the ranks of the Union to come to Washington to protect it against the expected onslaught of Confederates that was expected in the early days of the war. This song/poem attacks the, directly or by inference, greenbacks, Chase, blacks, contractors, Lincoln, and even Horace Greely and his Tribune. In spite of all of the opposition, by the end of the war over 450 million greenbacks had been circulated. There are small pieces missing in the upper corners, which do not touch the art; paper is yellowed, but there are no tears, foxing, or stains.

The second piece, while equally anti-greenback, is probably dated around 1878. It features two caricatures of Benjamin Butler (1818 - 1893). On one side Butler, who the text indicates is an on-again off-again advocate of greenbacks, is shown feeding dollar shaped pieces of paper to a flock of geese. The paper is labeled "This is corn", "This is meal", "This is oats" and so on. In the background is the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House. The text, which is filled with references to the worthlessness of greenbacks, notes that Butler has held public office for over 25 years and in the next election would "...change him from a Congressman to Governor." After serving as a Union general, a position for which he was eminently unqualified, Butler returned to Massachusetts. He served in Congress as a Republican from 1868 to 1875, during which time he served as head prosecutor for the House in the impeachment proceedings against Andrew Johnson. Some felt that Butler's inept performance contributed to Johnson's acquittal. He again served in the House from 1877 until 1879. He was a perennial candidate for Governor of Massachusetts running in 1859, 1860, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1878, and 1879. He was finally elected in 1882. Butler had first served in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1853. His last campaign was for President was as the nominee of the Greenback - Labor and Anti - Monopoly Parties in 1884. He received less than 2% of the popular vote. Butler died in Washington, D.C. in 1893. The "bill" is printed in green ink on white paper by The Heliotype Printing Co. of Boston. The paper is slightly yellowed and creased where it has been folded into thirds and there are a few minute tears along the upper and lower edges, none of which affect the printed area.

Price: $225

110-10

Leaves From The Journal of Our Life in The Highlands, from 1848 to 1861. To which are Prefixed and Added Extracts from the same Journal giving an Account of Earlier Visits to Scotland, and Tours in England and Ireland, and Yachting Excursions.
VICTORIA, [Queen] HELPS, Arthur, Editor. HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT MILITARY INSCRIPTION FROM QUEEN VICTORIA TO LORD KITCHENER IN RECOGNITION FOR HIS VICTORY IN KHARTOUM.

Book Description: London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 1884. Boldly inscribed by Queen Victoria in "To Lord Kitchener of Khartoum / Sirdar of the Egyptian Army/ from / Victoria Reg / Nov 1 1898�;. Finely bound in original full green morocco with gilt raised bands, titles and decoration to spine; gilt rule to boards with corner pieces; marbled end papers; all edges gilt. With numerous black and white and colour illustrations.

Lord Kitchener is known primary as the Moustached Recruiting Poster in WWI England, calling Europe to Arms against the Germans. Perhaps the most important and recognizable British Military Figure in the last 200 years.

Kitchener won national fame on his second tour in the Sudan (1886-1899), being made Aide de Camp to Queen Victoria and collecting a Knighthood of the Bath. After becoming Sirdar of the Egyptian Army he headed the victorious Anglo-Egyptian army at the Battle of Omdurman on September 2, 1898, a victory made possible by the massive rail construction program he had instituted in the area.

Kitchener quite possibly prevented war between France and Britain when he dealt firmly but non-violently with the French military expedition to claim Fashoda, in what became known as the Fashoda Incident.

He was created Baron Kitchener, of Khartoum and of Aspall in the County of Suffolk, on 18 November 1898 as a victory title commemorating his successes, and began a programme restoring good governance to the Sudan. The programme had a strong foundation based on education, Gordon Memorial College being its centrepiece, and not simply for the children of the local elites - children from anywhere could apply to study.

Memorials to Kitchener's long life of substantial accomplishments led to tributes worldwide, including the renaming of towns, hospitals, campaigns, etc. He is no less important to Britain and the world than Grant is to the United States. A most historically important gift involving two major players on the world scene.

Price: $7,500

ACD

Excused from Civil War Service Document
Or "Claim of Exemption" for Lavalley, dated 1862

Poor guy had bad toes, and thus missed the Civil War. Some staining. Rare form.

Price: $125

SHU2

The Whale, and Danger of Whale Fishery
Phamplet
New Haven
Printed and Published by S. Babcock, 1840

32mo printed and illustrated blue wrappers. Excellent Sixteen pages of text with six full-page woodcuts plus two on the inside covers, borders of typographic ornaments. Front cover vignette repeated on title page; two text vignettes of harpoons.

Price: $275

ACD3

18th Century Flame Stitch Purse
Belonging to Timothy McElwain
With McElwain's personal documents

An 18th century flame stitch purse with the embroidered initials �TM� for owner Timothy McElwain of Hampshire County Massachusetts. This large purse with four interior compartments measures 8 by 9.5-inches opened and is in generally good condition with as expected �in use� wear and minor losses. Included within this lot is McElwain�s commission appointing him as Lieutenant of the Eighteenth Company in the Third Regiment of the Militia. Also, a period record memorializing the birth and death of his children; plot plan of his real property and various deeds. Included are a most interesting last will and testament clearly within the bounds of social culture of the period.

Price: $3,500

621-72

Downfall of England, Pamphlet

Book Description: Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson & Brothers, 1862, 1862. [19]-30 pp. as issued with some folding, shelf and storage wear; better than a reading copy, but not pristine. a fiery attack on the English in the characteristic style of the eccentric Train who predicts that if they continue interfere in Irish affairs Thomas Francis Meager "will be back again in Dublin with a body-guard of ten thousand veteran Irish soldiers from the battle fields of Richmond"

Price: $200

ACD

Donner Party
Very Rare Card with Sea Moss imprinted on the front, and on the back Mrs. Frank Lewis; noted in pencil "one of the Donner Party"

At 8 years old, Patty Reed Lewis was an 8 year old, who crossed with the Donner Party. She became the Proprietess of Capitola, California's grand hotel, and sold these cards in the lobby. Currently, there is a museum in Capitola with a picture of one of these cards, but their card does not have the original sea moss (seaweed), and is in lesser condition. A true relic from one of the Wild West's more infamous events.

Price: $1,250

ACD10

W. H Taft Autograph on Yale Stationary

Pencil autograph on Yale Stationary.

Price: $360

ACD

IMPORTANT ROBERT E LEE WAR DATE LETTER

Autograph Book of Carrie Morfit, Baltimore, MD. 1864