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Documents

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1. Very nice condition, small grouping of documents related to Lt. Col. George W. Johnson of the 49th New York Volunteer Infantry.  This grouping includes Lt. Col. Johnson's muster out document dated March 3, 1863, from camp near Belle Plains, VA.  The Muster Out document is for the rank of Major so that he could Muster In (the following document) with the rank of Lt. Colonel.  Also, there is a printed document from the State of New York, Bureau of Military Statistics, dated August 25, 1863, and signed by Lt. Col. George Washington Johnson.  There is also a very pretty "New York - Union" patriotic cover addressed to Lt. Col. G. W. Johnson and dated 1863.  Lt. Col. George Washington Johnson was critically wounded on July 12, 1864, and died on July 27, 1864.  This is a very nice grouping from a New York hero that died in the Civil War.--$150 for all.SOLD

2. Very nice condition and well written, 4-page, Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry letter.  This letter was written, October 10, 1863, from near Bloomingdale, VA, from a family member of a soldier "Henry".  Henry was apparently in her business about not writing often enough.  She says, "Dear Henry, Don't feel yourself neglected or think you are forgotten if you don't get letters from home as often as you might wish.  You know my duties here always have been pretty heavy, but you can form no idea of their intolerable presence now.  I have scarcely time to think, much less to write."  This letter is well written and reasonably easy to read.  She says, "Have you a Chaplain in your regiment now?  Do you have regular religious services, or do you have none at all? . . . I have never heard a word from Mr. Spindle since I saw it stated he was severely wounded at the Brandy Station fight."  There is much, much more good content that can be unraveled with concentrated effort.--$125.SOLD

3. Quite rare 1993 book entitled Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers.  This book is a collection of late 1800 and early 1900 photographs of African American children.  Some of the pictures are quite incredible.  For example, there is a beautiful photograph of a 5 - 6 year old Negro boy on his little wagon being pulled by two billy goats.--$35.

4. Extremely rare, well written in old brown ink, four-year diary of John W. Fisher of Company H, 7th Illinois Infantry.  Private Fisher kept his diary in a 4 1/2" x 7 1/2" store cash ledger book.  The diary begins with a fairly long stay for training around Ft. Holt, Kentucky.  From Kentucky, the regiment boarded a ship and headed for Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson.  The regiment arrived at Ft. Henry on February 4, 1862.  From that point through the next 20 days or so, Private John Fisher vividly describes the fighting around both Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson.  On February 13, 1862, while in front of Ft. Donelson, Private Fisher writes, "Today I fight my first battle for my country.  My regiment assaulted their works.  Every man fought bravely.  Captain Mendall was killed and many wounded."  February 14 - "Desperate fighting - many fall around me, but I remain untouched.  Very cold and very weak from being sick.  I find it very difficult to keep up with my Regiment.  The battalion movement is made in double quick time, but the setting sun finds me amid a thousand mangled comrades.  This date will be long remembered by the many made widows and fatherless."  February 15 - "The most bloody day of the whole fight with desperation.  Very cold last night and many froze to death.  The woods take a fire and burn hundreds more wounded to death."  Sunday, February 16 - "The fort with the garrison is surrendered to General Grant by Rebel General Buckner - a glorious conclusion of our last three days intense suffering, etc."  February 17 - "This day is spent in claiming the spoils of our victory which prove to be 15,000 rifles and large quantities of sugar, flour, etc. too numerous to mention.  With guards, we send prisoners to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois.  On February 24th we are on the Cumberland River aboard the steamer Tigress."  There are in-depth descriptions of many other Western Theater actions including a detailed account of the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi.  This diary is a multi-year treasure of eye-witness experiences of a Federal Private in the 7th Illinois Infantry.--$1,295.SOLD

5. Large 7 1/2 inch by 11 inche one page brown ink Confederate letter written from Goldsboro, NC. on May 29th, 1862.  The letter was written by Evans Oldham of Co. "G" - 48th Regt. North Carolina Volunteer Infantry while in the Hospital near Goldsboro recovering from the Measles.  He reassures his family that he is improving, and that there are "not many deaths" considering the amount of men that are sick".  He tells everyone at home that he would love to come home to see them, but he is afraid that it will be "some time first".  He says most of the NC men have moved out for Richmond and Wilmington.  He pleads with folks at home to write soon and often.  Evans was apparently reasonably well educated as his writing is easy to read, and his spelling is much better than most Confederate Soldiers.--$125.SOLD

6. This soldier's letter was written by Oliver S. Lyman of the 18th U.S. Regulars, Army of the Cumberland to his parents in Defiance, Ohio.  This particular letter is well written in ink and is four pages in length.  Oliver gives a clear, well written account of Army of the Cumberland daily life during their winter camp the first half of 1863 here at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  The real significance of this letter is what Oliver Lyman's not - to - distant future would hold.  Oliver was captured the following year near Resaca, Georgia, during the Federal Army's drive for Atlanta.  From Resaca, Georgia, Oliver Lyman was sent to the dreaded Andersonville, Georgia prison.  He died there a few months later on October 27, 1864, and is buried in grave #11,543 at Andersonville.  This four page letter written from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a classic example of how quickly a soldier's life can radically change during times of war.--$115.SOLD

7. YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO READ ABOUT THIS RELIC!!  This listing is to prove that those who say, "If you want a cool historic, Civil War relic, be prepared to pay BIG BUCKS," are not always correct.  I recently purchased a collection, and in the collection is a patriotic cover that is stamped and postmarked, "Nashville, Tenn. May 5, 1863" and addressed to Mrs. Catharine Getchey (the widow), Cattawissa, Columbia Co, Pennsylvania.  When I first saw this artifact, a couple of factors immediately struck me.  (1) This is a Civil War date, patriotic cover stamped and postmarked from Middle Tennessee and, (2) addressed to a lady in Pennsylvania with a note "the widow".  My first suspicion was that this cover was carrying terrible news to a family back in Pennsylvania.  After doing some research, we uncovered the bad news the Civil War cover carried.  Catharine Getchey was the mother of 21-year-old Franklin Getchey.  We were able to locate a letter that gave precise details of Franklin Getchey's death.  Franklin Getchey was a member of the 7th Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, and on the 4th day of April, 1863, the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry encountered Rebel Cavalry at Snows Hill, Tennessee (Snows Hill is located near Liberty, Tennessee).  In this engagement, in the words of a fellow soldier who was present and witnessed the incident, "I saw Franklin Getchey of said Company wounded --- he received a gunshot wound right below the heart - and the ball coming out of his back on the right side, and he died from said wound in three to four hours after receiving the wound.  He received this wound in the line of duty from the hands of the enemy.  I assisted in carrying Franklin Getchey from the field."  Now fast forward to 30 years ago and to now.  About 30 years ago, I was relic hunting on private property where this very skirmish occurred and I recovered numerous fired projectiles.  Also while exploring this small battle site, I stumbled upon six or eight unmarked graves simply known to be Union soldiers who died at this skirmish.  I now have no doubt that I know who one of these soldiers is.  A good number of years ago, the busily traveled highway was moved a short distance to the side of this location, and a modern highway built, thus more or less, freezing this spot in time.  With this postal cover, I am including two fired projectiles that I recovered from this site as well as a copy of an actual letter vividly describing what happened that we uncovered during research.  How about this for a smoking cool historic artifact for a mere -- $100.SOLD

8. Extremely rare, soldier's 1865 journal belonging to David Hire, Co. I, 74th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, kept from Sunday, January 1, 1865, through Thursday, June 29, 1865.  He is listed as being 5' 9" tall, had a dark complexion, hazel eyes, dark hair, and was a farmer.  This journal documents almost every historical event surrounding the closing months of the American Civil War.  This journal is well written and documents in detail General Sherman's march to the sea with lots of intricate detail of fighting and maneuvering in North Carolina.  The journal documents General Lee's surrender, General Johnson's surrender in North Carolina, President Lincoln's assassination, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis' attempt to escape and capture.  The journal truly documents some of the most important events of the American Civil War.  David Hire died on December 24, 1925, and is said to have lived his life with injuries from his service in the Civil War, including Rheumatism of his back and hips and disease of the kidneys and chest.  David Hire had three children and drew his Civil War pension through December 4, 1925.  The journal is written in such detail that a person could spend years following all the leads and information held within.--$1,500.SOLD

9. Beautiful condition and extremely rare, original 1865 soldier's folding pocket diary kept by Lt. Charles McDavitt, Co. H, 4th Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.  The diary is clear and well written with hardly a day missed until the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  After this event, Lt. McDavitt ceased to keep the diary.  The final two entries in the diary are Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th.  On April 15th, Lt. McDavitt documents the murder and death of President Lincoln.  Lt. McDavitt's final entry on Saturday 15th immediately after President Lincoln died was this quote, "Thus died a great and good man."  Here is your chance to own a Civil War soldier's actual account and documentation of the death of President Lincoln, on the very day it occurred.--$1,150.SOLD

10. Very nice estate grouping belonging to Kirke Moses of the 30th Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry.  The grouping consists of a signed CDV of Kirke Moses and two CDV's of his wife, two extensive "Muster Roll" like regimental documents, and most importantly, a beautiful silver pocket watch belonging to Kirke Moses with a Civil War soldier engraved on one side and a fort scene engraved on the other.  The engraved silver pocket watch is one of the prettier ones I have seen.--$895 for the entire estate.

11. Beautiful condition, 1840 land grant from President Martin Van Buren.  This grant contains 40 acres and is for land located near Edwardsville, Illinois.  This land grant retains the original Presidential Seal and is certificate number 19691 and is dated January 1, 1840.--$250.

12. Small "1861" date book entitled Poems of Womanhood.  There are poems in this booklet that every woman should read, such as "She Was a Phantom of Delight" and "The Widow to Her Hourglass", or maybe "Be Gentle, Husband"!!--$75.

13. Perfect like new condition, rare, out of print, Plates and Buckles of the American Military 1795 - 1874, by Sydney C. Kerksis.  This is one of the best and most sought after of all reference books.--$95.

14. Quite scarce, original, first edition, "Confederate Edged Weapons" by William A. Albaugh, III.  This is an excellent example with the original dust jacket still intact.--$95.

15. Excellent condition, January 24, 1862, "Providence Tool Company" document.  This document is a receipt to Providence Tool Company for freight charges for 45 bars of raw iron shipped from New York to Providence Tool Company on the Steamer Ospray.  Providence Tool Company was a manufacturer of both Civil War sabers and muskets.  This raw iron would, no doubt, eventually become Civil War weapons.--$85.SOLD

16. Very ornate, war date (December 30, 1863), shipping document to Providence Tool Company Armory in Providence, Rhode Island, from the Arcade Malt Iron Company.  Providence Tool Company is a well known sword and musket manufacturer during the Civil War, and quite likely, that is what these materials were to be used for.--$95.

17. Nice condition, ordinance document for Company J, 63rd Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  Per this document, Company J of the 63rd Illinois received 69 Prussian muskets with bayonets, gunslings, bayonet scabbards, cartridge boxes, cartridge box plates, cap pouches, belts, and US waist belt plates.  The Prussian muskets that were issued at this time proved to be quite unsatisfactory and were replaced with Springfields as soon as possible.--$48.SOLD

18. Pair of very colorful, unused, but original Union patriotic covers.  Both of these are satirical in nature.--$48.50

19. Original 1921 imprint concerning the origin of Memorial Day.  This document was authored by Federal General Norton P. Chipman (who was Col. of the 2nd Ohio Infantry during the Civil War and was later Judge Advocate for the famous Andersonville Prison trial of Commandant Henry Wirz) and has an original "N. P. Chipman" autograph on the reverse of the document.  This is a very cool document and completely pertinent today.--$55.

20. Original autograph of Brigadier General Ramsey Potts.  General Potts was one of America's most decorated and successful bomber pilots of the 2nd World War.  Interestingly, during his time, as a bomb group commander, the well know actor, James "Jimmy" Stewart, was his Operations Officer.  At age 27, Potts was promoted to full Colonel and assumed command of the 453rd Bomb Group based in Norfolk.  Among Potts' accolades, he was awarded "The Distinguished Service Cross", two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit medal, three DFCs, the Bronze Star, five Air Medals, and was awarded the British "DFC" for his outstanding courage and heroism.  He retired from the Air Force as a Major General in 1972.  Major General Potts lived to age 89.--$50.

21. Very nice condition check from Remington Arms Co. dated Sept. 27, 1854 and signed by Samuel Remington {one of three owners along with brothers Philo and Eliphalet III} during the Civil War era.  Remington Firearms were very well thought of during the Civil War era.--$48.

22. Announcement of the compilation of the "1861-1865 -- The Message and Papers of the Confederacy" dated 1905 along with a certificate inviting the named individual the opportunity to subscribe to one set of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy.  This particular certificate is addressed to H.B.W. Heartsill.--$48.

23. How many of THESE have you ever seen offered for sale.  This is the OFFICIAL REGIMENTAL POLL-BOOK FOR THE MEMBERS OF CO. E - 76 TH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS for the 1864 election.  The "Poll-Book" remains in remarkably nice, complete condition.--$250.
24. Excellent condition and quite rare cover postmarked "Murfreesboro, TN." {March 18, 1850} - hand cancelled - and addressed to "Mr. Robert M. Rucker - University of Virginia".  Robert was a student there from 1849 until 1851, and would be a future Confederate soldier with the Army of Tennessee.  "Rucker Road"- here in Murfreesboro, TN. today is named for this man and his family.  This item is directly out of the family and comes with a copy of a picture of him and a copy of his personal history.  Inexpensive little item, but "loaded with cool".  This is an item that could easily be very appealing to a current "University of Virginia" graduate.--$65.
25. This letter was written from the "Hall of the Convention" in Alexandria, VA on December 12th 1864.  At this "Unionist" convention the Constitution of 1864 was adopted.  This Constitution contains many important laws including: abolishing slavery in the Union controlled parts of Virginia and recognizing the creation of West Virginia.   Members of the Convention proclaimed the new Constitution in effect, rather than submitting it to voters for approval in a popular referendum.  Initially only the areas of northern and eastern Virginia then under Union control recognized the authority of the Constitution of 1864, but after the fall of the Confederacy in May 1865 it became effective for all Virginia and remained in effect until July 1869.  In the above letter, it appears that the writer, L. W. Webb, was trying to run for some type of office or for a seat in the convention.  However, from his comment, "I see very plainly that a Union man stands no show in our department and it is useless to try to do any things, so I have given up all hopes, and will sit down and wait patiently until things do change," and it does look like he was not successful...$65
26. Presented signature of Union Major General William D. Whipple.--$50.
27. Group of 6 Civil War and slightly earlier postal covers.  4 still have the stamps intact and are addressed to "Petersburg, VA."  and one of the six has a pretty patriotic motif.  The entire grouping.--$75.

28. Three red, white, and blue patriotic Union covers with ornate Union embossing.  All three covers were actually mailed and have the cancelled 3-cent Union stamps still intact.  Two of the covers were addressed to Rhode Island and one to New York.  All three are in very nice condition.--$85.

29. Nice crisp autograph of Confederate Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner.  This autograph has for many years been on display at the Lotz House Civil War Museum in Franklin, Tennessee.--$250.