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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Militia Laws of New Hampshire
Adjutant General's Office - SOLD

1843 Cardboard covers, 112 pages with foldout page, cloth spine torn, covers loose; pages are not loose, covers scuffed. (7-inches x 4.5-inches.)

110-330 - SOLD

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

Calligraphic Tribute to Andrew Jackson
Circa 1840

Calligraphic tribute to Andrew Jackson in blue ink; "Genr'l Andrew Jackson / The Hero Of / New Orleans / President of the United States of / America;" the word "America" is flanked by "Executed 1840" on the left and "by A. Goodale;" the whole flanked by two eagles; in what appears to be the original frame in old red paint, painted in black script on the backboard is "Goodale / Watertown / Mass;" light toning, some light stains and a few spots of foxing, no tears or creases. The frame measures 12.25-inches by 10.5-inches, and the view area measures 9.625-inches by 7.5-inches.

Price: $3,125

913-15

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

Handbill
Rutherford B. Hayes
New Hampshire

1876 New Hampshire handbill with engraved portraits of Rutherford B. Hayes and Vice Presidential candidate William A. Wheeler along with the names of five candidates for Presidential Electors; there is an engraving of a Revolutionary and Civil War soldier with the NH state seal, the Liberty Bell, a pair of shields marked 1776 and 1876 respectively, a banner with a patriotic slogan and Centennial, the engraving is signed Kilburn Engraver Boston; two folds, some light stains, no tears or holes. Measures 9.5-inches by 4-inches.

Price: $185

110-311

William Henry Harrison
Campaign Badge/Token
Circa 1840
Copper

The obverse shows bust of Harrison in uniform facing left, 3 buttons, "MAJ. GEN. W. H. HARRISON / BORN FEB. 9 1773:" reverse shows log cabin with flag, cider barrel with pitcher on top, "THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE / THE HERO OF TIPPECANOE;" hole punched at 12 o'clock; very good + condition. Measures 1-inch in diameter.

Price: $180

110-310

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

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

Pistol, Bible And Grisaille Portrait Of Lieutenant William B. Hill
The bible worn in blouse pocket saved his life at New Bern
21st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Never Before offered For Sale

William B. Hill, a printer from Gardner, Massachusetts mustered as a private into "A" Company of the 21st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in August of 1861. Family tradition holds that Hill served as Company "A" First Sergeant during the Battle of New Bern, North Carolina in March 1862; Hill was one of 36 men from the 21st wounded during the fierce fighting. His life was apparently saved by a small testament given to him by Edwin G. Adams, pastor of the First Unitarian Church of Templeton. The testament, which Hill carried in a pocket of his blouse, deflected the ball. The impact almost broke the .75-inch thick booklet in half. Hill was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in July of 1862. Immediately following the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, where they were only lightly engaged, the Regiment fought in the Battle of Chantilly. The 21st suffered 140 casualties, including 22 killed. Lieutenant Hill was one of those killed.

This collection includes the 4.5 X 3 X .75-inch New Testament that saved Hill's life at New Bern, as well as his Smith & Wesson Model No. 2 Old Model (Model No. 2 Army) pistol. This pistol with original smooth rosewood grips, serial number 5854 (1862 manufacture) has a 6-inch barrel and retains approximately 60% of its bluing; minor surface rust and pitting. There is a fantastic en grisaille gouache portrait of Hill in uniform wearing the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. (Overall 11 X 9 1/8-inches; sight: 8 5/8-inches X 6.75-inches.)

The lot is accompanied by a notarized affidavit of family provenance and a report from Smith and Wesson stating that this pistol having serial number 5854 was shipped from their factory on July 24, 1862, and was delivered to J.W. Storrs, New York City, Smith & Wesson's sole agent from 1857 to 1869.

Price: $8,800

929-1

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: $14,000

308-86

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 PROCLAMATION 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

Militia Laws of New Hampshire Adjutant General's Office - SOLD

Civil War Period Sheet Music "We Are Coming Father Abraham 300,000 More" Circa 1862

Publication "The City of Holyoke, Its Water Power and Its Industries"

Calligraphic Tribute to Andrew Jackson Circa 1840

Printed Tribute of Respect To Captain of Ship Lost at Sea Circa 1842

Handbill Rutherford B. Hayes New Hampshire

William Henry Harrison Campaign Badge/Token Circa 1840 Copper

Letter Soliciting the Abolition of Slavery June 17, 1854 Boston