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Paper Gallery
Letter Collection of DW Hobson, Acting Ensign
Steamer Jacob Bell, 1862 through 1864
Letters to his friend, Mary Gallaher of New Haven, CT. Apparently an old friend, "Danny" kept Mary informed of his service throughout the war. The Steamer Bell was assigned to Potomac Flotilla during Hobson's assignment, but had a colorful history throughout the Civil War. Wikipedia gives a nice accounting (as follows):
"USS Jacob Bell (1842) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy for use during the American Civil War. Her duties included river patrols, guard duty, and other duties as assigned.
Jacob Bell, a sidewheel steamer built at New York City in 1842, was purchased at New York City from O. T. Glover and F. R. Anthony 22 August 1861; and commissioned the same day, Lt. Edward P. McCrea in command.
Jacob Bell immediately sailed for the Potomac River, where the following day she joined steamer USS Ice Boat (1861) in shelling a Confederate battery at the mouth of Potomac Creek. She remained in the Potomac enforcing the blockade of the Virginia coast, reconnoitering along the shore of the Potomac and in its tributaries for Confederate fortifications and shelling any batteries found.
In April 1862 Jacob Bell accompanied five other Union ships to the Rappahannock River to gather information for Major General George B. McClellan, who was then launching his Peninsular Campaign and pondering over potential advantages of a second beachhead. The Union ships ascended the Rappahannock River to Tappahannock (Urbana), Virginia, 50 miles by land from Richmond, Virginia.
Jacob Bell became even more closely involved in the affairs of General McClellan's Army of the Potomac when she was transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron for duty on the James River. She arrived Hampton Roads 28 May and the following day proceeded with USS Mahaska (1861) to Fort Powhatan. A party which went ashore 30 May found no evidence that the forts had been occupied. The next day USS Aroostook (1861) joined the two ships in ascending the James to a point 3 miles below Drewry's Bluff, finding no obstructions or batteries on the passage but suffering some annoyance from riflemen on the left bank. The three ships promptly returned to their anchorage off Turkey Island.
A message from General McClellan, who was then fighting the Battle of Seven Pines, arrived a few minutes past midnight 2 June, requesting support from the Navy. Jacob Bell, accompanied by five other ships stood up stream at dawn but was prevented from reaching Richmond, Virginia, by carefully-prepared obstructions at Drewry's Bluff. Nevertheless, the Navy wisely remained in the upper James, where its support a month later saved the Army of the Potomac from destruction at the end of Lee's masterful Seven Days Campaign.
Meanwhile, Jacob Bell labored tirelessly in support of the Union cause, engaging batteries and pickets ashore, reconnoitering tributaries in hostile territory, and maintaining communications along the river. She continued this valuable service until transferred back to the Potomac Flotilla, departing Fort Monroe for Washington, D.C. 2 September.
For the remainder of the war, Jacob Bell was primarily concerned with the defense of Washington-alternately serving in the Potomac and the Rappahannock according to the ebb and flow of the titanic struggle between General Robert E. Lee and the Army of the Potomac. All the while, her duties as a blockader were discharged with skill and devotion. She captured C. F. Ward, a metal lifeboat with a contraband cargo 17 October and destroyed two schooners 4 November while on a reconnaissance mission up Nomini Creek, Virginia. On 23 August 1863, she caught schooner Golden Leaf trying to slip into Hosier's Creek, Virginia, with a cargo of sugar. Two more ships were taken in 1864.
In between prizes, blockade duty was varied by shelling batteries along the shore and landing boat parties to destroy Confederate property. Always busy until the South's defeat, Jacob Bell decommissioned at Washington Navy Yard 13 May 1865, and was lost at sea 6 November while being towed by USS Banshee (1862) toward New York City." (end Wikipedia)
Eleven letters from Hodson with primarily general content, and one letter to Hodson from "Mary" concerning Hodson's father's death. One letter provides description of a battle witnessed by Hodson including the results, etc. Another describes an attack on the Potomac Flotilla by a shore battery, and other scattered military content. Overall an interesting picture into the life of a Civil War Naval participant. Envelopes with stamps included but are not postmarked onboard the ship. Most are from Washington, D.C and PT Lookout, MD. Letters are legible and interesting, mostly 4 pp. in ink. Some are light, but still can be read with some good lighting and magnification. A very interesting lot.
Price: $1,250
913-43
State Sovereignty and the Doctrine of Coercion, by the Hon. Wm. D. Porter...Pro-Secession Pamphlet, 1860
Pamphlet authored by South Carolina state's rights champion William D. Porter, including a letter from former Secretary of the Navy J. K. Paulding, The Right To Secede by "States;" printed in South Carolina 1860; overall good, some pencil notations interior that appear period, others on cover and back are modern, cover soiled. Measures 8.5-inches by 5.75-inches.
Price: $110
913-26
Printed Dinner Invitation
From Mr & Mrs John Quincy Adams to Postmaster General John McLean
An invitation, both printed in script and handwritten in ink reading "Mr and Mrs. Adams / request the Honor of / Mr McLean / Company at Dinner on / Tuesday the 2 of August at 5 o'clock / The Favor of an Answer is requested;" the invitation has been folded into thirds and was sealed on the inside fold with red wax; Mr McLean P.M.G. is written on the outside; the outside is toned and torn at the corner where the seal was broken, a pencil notation has been made in the upper left corner on the inside and one on the outside, overall very good. Measures 8-inches by 5-inches when folded, and 8-inches by 10-inches when open.
Price: $450
913-18
Pamphlet
Description of A View of the City of Jerusalem
Circa 1839
A pamphlet for the exhibition of a panoramic painting of the city of Jerusalem by Robert Burford on display in NYC in 1839; contains a fold-out illustrated map numbered to match descriptions in the pamphlet; good, corners folded, foxing.
Price: $420
913-28
Grouping of Vermont
Civil War Documents
Includes blank enlistment forms, receipts for swords and other weapons, clothing voucher for 6th VT soldier wounded at The Wilderness. All in good to very good condition.
Price: $265
110-264
Civil War Period Sheet Music
"We Are Coming Father Abraham 300,000 More"
Circa 1862
Featuring classic Union battle cry, printed in Boston, c. 1862. Stains. Matted and framed.
Price: $195
529-5
Publication
"The City of Holyoke, Its Water Power and Its Industries"
A folio sized newsprint publication, dated 1876. Created as a marketing effort for the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts. No author has been cited for the piece. This publication remains in good condition, with some toning and staining on the cover, which is noted for accuracy. Measures 22.25 by 17-inches.
Price: $350
977-2
Printed Tribute of Respect
To Captain of Ship Lost at Sea
Circa 1842
1842 broadside printed in tribute to James K. York, Captain of the schooner Napoleon that was lost with all but one of his crew in a storm off the coast of Maine in November, 1842. The surviving crewmember, Stephen Chase, wrote a poem about the Captain's demise that was printed in Portland, ME in February, 1843. Rice paper mounted on laid paper, toned, with staining. - 11-inches by 7.5-inches.
Price: $475
110-318
Letter Soliciting the Abolition of Slavery
June 17, 1854
Boston
Measures 7.75-inches by 9.75-inches.
Price: $3,600
232-29
IMPORTANT ROBERT E LEE WAR DATE LETTER - SOLD
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.
ACD - SOLD
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