Military Memorabilia

U.S. Civil War

Lot 512
Album of Union General Cartes de Visite. 10 Union Generals in uniform are represented in this album of Civil War-era cartes de visite: Burnside, Banks, Halleck, Pope, Seigel, Butler, Hooker, Auger, Gilmore and McDowell. All of the cartes de visite have been trimmed at the top edge to echo the curve of the paper frames and (with the exception of McDowell, whose name is imprinted below his portrait) have been labeled in pencil on the front and back with the identities of the sitters. The pictures show varying degrees of fading with minor age toning, but are, overall, in good to very good condition.The embossed leather album cover is very good condition, with minor wear at the top and spine, a brass clasp still functions to keep the album closed and the interior pages show various amounts of soil, foxing and minor staining but are intact and in good condition.

With the exception of the McDowell, Halleck and Gilmore cdvs, backstamps indicate the portraits are from Brady's National Portrait Gallery photographic negatives, published by Anthony in New York. McDowell's cdv has no backstamp but is imprinted at bottom recto, Halleck's backstamp is from Anthony (without mention of Brady) and Gilmore's portrait by A.A. Turner was published by Appleton & Co., New York. A wonderful collection featuring some of the best known generals of the Union Army and a few more obscure figures.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Please note there are several significant Civil War documents and letters in our Military Leaders autograph section.

Lot 513
An Impressive, Working Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver. Samuel Colt's stylish .44 caliber black powder revolver has stepped cylinder and streamlined precision rifled 8" barrel. The trigger guard and front strap in brass. The back steel strap notched for attaching a shoulder stock. The revolver completely refurbished and refinished.The frame, loading lever and hammer are all in an attractive deep custom blue. Front sight in German silver; the nipples look original. Top of barrel marked "Address Sam'l Colt New-York US America." Serial no. 105745 visible on barrel, frame, brass strap, and back strap. The original walnut grips well used, and a little chipped. Length: 14-1/2". The gun is solid and tight, and probably strong enough to handle very reduced load charges -- although shooting these antiques is certainly not recommended. It's all here -- a famous gun, a piece of American history, and a great wall display. We urge buyers to avail themselves of this opportunity.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
The Model 1860 Army .44 Caliber Revolver is one of the most historical of all the Colt black powder revolvers. It needs no introduction to the Civil War collector. Technological advances in metallurgy allowed the development of this harder hitting .44 caliber pistol, which was sleeker and more lightweight than the old 1847 .44 caliber Dragoons. Along with Colt's smaller caliber 1851 Navy model, these two pistols were the most popular of the sidearms used during the war. These two work horses inspired numerous Confederate and European copycats.

Lot 514
Arthur L. Chase Civil War Correspondence. Archive of twelve letters, totaling 44 pages, quarto and octavo, November 30, 1861-December 15, 1862. Camp Stoneman, Lockport, Baltimore, Fort Federal Hill. Addressed to "Dear Brother", George Chase. Accompanied by March 1862 discharge of Chase, signed by John Elwood; July 21, 1862 volunteer enlistment of Chase, signed by James Magmin; one page document from the Treasury department, signed by E.B. French, issuing $98.40 payment to Chase's father, in payment for wages earned prior to the death of Arthur Chase on June 7, 1864.

Eighteen at the time of his first enlistment, Chase served first with the New York State Volunteer Cavalry, 7th Regiment, until the Regiment was mustered out in March 1862. Chase reenlisted four months later, serving with the NYSV, 129th Regiment, Company D. Chase's letters, many with envelopes and many on patriotic stationery, detail life in camp and troop movements. Chase records "...chance yesterday to go with the grand expedition up James River" and "...last week we expected that we should have the pleasure of exchanging a few shots with Stonewall Jackson but Gen. McClellan has blocked him for the present...Two companies of our Regt. have gone to Philadelphia with prisoners taken at Harper's Ferry."
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 515
Civil War Bureaucratic Ephemera. Lot of six. One enlistment document with signed acknowledgment of Oath of loyalty; one Requisition for Forage, specifically for "one Private Horse in the service of RA Browne, Chaplain"; one receipt from the Ordnance Office, for forms and receipts sent to Battery "B" of the First Connecticut Artillery; two decorative envelopes (one reads "Liberty and Union Now and Forever", unfortunately there is significant surface soil); one Jefferson Davis five cent stamp. Conditions vary, some toning and surface soil with splits++. Good to very good.
Estimated Value $100-125.

Natchez, Memphis, Black River Bridge

Lot 516
Civil War Correspondence. Lot of eight letters from "Binni", various dates in 1864 recording the campaign against Natchez, Vicksburg and Memphis. All of the letters are in a strong, bold hand (which is occasionally illegible). We wish we knew the identity of this soldier -- the letters evidence a strong love for his "dear child", as he often calls his wife and, most intriguingly, there is evidence that he was in command of troops and a promotion to Brigadier General is mentioned. There is some serious thought it may be Bernard G. Farrar, commander of the 6th US Colored Heavy Artillery, but we would need to do further research to establish which General wrote these letters. In any case, this is an impressive collection. Binni moves with the army from Memphis to Natchez to "Near Vicksburg," giving his wife reports of his lodgings and campsites. At one point in Natchez, our correspondent is billeted with a Mrs. Gillespie in "the residence of a Dr. Holcom...my bedroom is quite handsomely furnished ." While in Natchez, Binni is given more responsibility: "...Gen Tuttle has given me command of all the forces both on this side and the other side of the river. I now have about 5000 men under my orders...Gen Thomas has promised to urge my appointment as Brigadier. I hope it will come one of these days..." On May 8, Binni writes "...I got your last letter after my last raid into La when I had been after the rebs with a sharp stick I caned the Fort Pillow on them and taught them a lesson which they will long remember. You will see full accounts of it in the papers..." This gives us yet another intriguing clue to identity. Near Vicksburg, our officer offers his view of the state of the Confederate Army, "...Each night brings in quite a number of deserters they all have the same tales of scarcity of food...before too many days have past we will be in such a position that we can force them to surrender food or no food..."
Estimated Value $500-600.

Lot 517
Civil War Newspapers. Lot of six newspapers, all War date. Two issues of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and four issues of Harper's Weekly, all complete. Foxing and toning throughout; some edge separation with paper loss, particularly at the spine. Overall, fair to good condition.

Leslie's paper and Harper's Weekly featured straight from the battlefield reports and outstanding illustrations of people and events -- providing concrete information for a nation at war that seemed far away but affected everyone close to home. Subjects in this lot include the bombardment of Fort Wagner by the Ironclads and Wooden Gunboats; portraits of Generals Sherman and Strong, among others; the surrender of Fort Macon; "drumming a coward out of camp"; the Merrimac; the Cincinnati; rebel torpedoes; and several unflattering references to Jefferson Davis and the British. Each page provides not only news, but also Union attitudes of the time and a look at how the War was dealt with at home.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 518
Collection of Discharge Papers. Lot of four discharge papers; three are pay vouchers, one is a "Surgeon's Certificate of Disability." The pay vouchers all date to January of 1863 and include the signed receipts for monies earned. Toning, particularly at folds, the receipts have been removed but are all present. Docketed verso. The Certificate of disability has adhesive residue verso and some toning, but is otherwise in fine condition.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 519
Ephemera from Civil War Soldier Coppinger. Here we offer a grouping of ephemera relating to the Civil War soldier, named John Coppinger, prominently featured throughout this catalogue. First, a newspaper article from the Los Angeles Times, dated April 7, 1948 describing the campaign of 1884 between Blaine and Cleveland. Apparently, Blaine was Coppinger's grandfather. In addition, a Typed Letter Signed by the Secretary of Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Club, offering fellow member Coppinger wishes of good health in light of his recent illness. Finally, we offer two copies of the memorial program held by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States upon Coppinger's death. The newspaper is heavily toned and chipped, else, the lot is in very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $50-UP.

Lot 520
[Fenton, Robert E.] Military Appointment of Civil War Soldier. Document Signed ("R.E. Fenton"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, 16¾ x 10½", oblong, Albany, January 26, 1865. Countersigned by Adjutant General William Irvine. Being an appointment to John J. Coppinger for the New York State Volunteers. On vellum. State wafer seal intact and affixed at lower left corner. Recorder's signature at upper left corner. One vertical and three horizontal folds. Likely trimmed, there are a few minor stains and toning to edges. Still, in very good condition with a clear signature.

After serving in the Appomattox Campaign later in 1865, the named soldier, one John J. Coppinger rose in the ranks of the military and was appointed Captain by Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, Colonel from President Grant, Major by President Hayes, and Lieutenant by President Arthur (see Presidential section). Here, New York Governor Fenton names him as part of the New York State Volunteers, honoring his devote patriotism.
Estimated Value $25-UP.

Lot 521
General E. Kirby Smith. Black and white, 3½ x 4½", n.p., n.d. Post-war printed portrait of the General as an old man, with a long gray beard, labeled verso and under the image. Minor toning, ¼" tear with diagonal crease at top left, bottom corners have tiny chips. Very good condition.

As commander of Trans-Mississippi Division Confederate forces, the Union seizure of the Mississippi in 1863 meant Smith and his forces were cut off from Confederate supply lines and general supervision. Forced to deal with provisioning his troops, the destruction of cotton to prevent its capture and normal duties, Smith developed his own style of command. Occasionally in conflict with his principal field commander, General Richard Taylor, and in the habit of irregularly promoting officer to general, Smith did not always receive praise from his superiors in Richmond. After defeating General Nathanial Banks' Red River Campaign in Spring 1864, Smith was promoted to full General. In spite of (or because of) the fact that he was increasingly isolated from the Confederacy as the Union made continued inroads in his field of operations, Smith was one of the last Confederate generals in the field and did not surrender until June of 1865. After the War, Smith became an academic, teaching mathematics at the University of the South. As the longest-living Confederate full general, Smith was a celebrated figure in the South until his death in 1893.
Estimated Value $150-175.

Lot 522
General Philip Sheridan Speeches. Lot of three speech transcripts; one speech given by Gen. Philip Sheridan, one speech honoring Sheridan (given by Gen. William E. Strong) and a speech by Strong honoring Colonel Henry W. Farrar. The address given by General Sheridan to the Loyal Legion, at the Union League Club Rooms in Chicago on March 6, 1882, is presented in a typescript copy: the first page shows some ink smears and spots with toning, the typescript has faded somewhat, but the overall condition is very good. Strong's speech honoring Sheridan (given the same night) is in manuscript in a booklet with marbelized endpapers that are loose in front and attached at the back. There is some toning, water damage on the endpapers and a few ink marks in the text, otherwise the condition is very good. Strong's honorarium for Farrar, a resolution offered to the Loyal Legion on that man's death, is also a manuscript copy with like endpapers (also loose/attached). Toning and some water damage, but otherwise in very good condition.

A wonderful collection of speeches offering a glimpse into the experiences of the Civil War as they were remembered 20 years later -- a valuable tool for the historian or collector. Sheridan, one of the greatest Union generals, pays tribute to his fellow officers (many of whom were present at the occasion): "There never was, in my judgment, so effective a body of officers and men, as the Armies of the Union, at the close of our Rebellion.", gives a personal history and addresses detractors: "It has been said that I was rash...dashing and reckless. I say in reply that there never was an officer more careful of his troops. I never lost a man without a just equivalent, if I could help it...I showed the men...my confidence in them". Strong's tribute to Sheridan (a close personal friend) is heartfelt (lengthy) and eloquent. After offering the examples of Caesar, Hannibal, Cromwell and Napoleon, Strong touts Sheridan's superiority "His genius is the embodiment of common sense applied to war....Down through history, through countless ages yet to come, his name will be inscribed high up on the roster of the world's great generals..."
Strong's tribute to Farrar is equally eloquent and the resolution of the Illinois Loyal Legion honors a Civil War hero who was "twice breveted (Major and Lt. Colonel) for gallant conduct on the battlefield" and "especially distinguished for skill and gallantry."
Estimated Value $200-300.

The Burning of Columbia

Lot 523
General William E. Strong's Report of the Campaign Through the Carolinas. With an inscription at the end "The above and forgoing is an accurate copy of my daily journal from original manuscripts written during Genl. Sherman's campaign through the Carolinas from Beaufort to Goldsboro. Wm. E. Strong", this offering assures us of a fascinating, detailed look at Army life on campaign during one of the most decisive episodes of the Civil War.

156 pages of lined paper bound in leather covered boards with "Campaign Through the Carolinas from Beaufort to Goldsboro / Daily Journal Army Tenn." embossed in gold. A caligraphed title page indicates "Daily Journal of an Officer of the General Staff. / volume.8 part 2." There is damage to the covers, the spine is cracked with loose leather, there is minor water damage to some of the pages and the front and back several pages are toned. Pages at the front and back of the book are loose, but all are accounted for; most of the pages appear to be written in a professional hand in brown ink, but there are also eight pages in pencil in what appears to be General Strong's hand. Editing marks in pencil appear throughout, in the same hand as the other penciled pages (perhaps the General was preparing these notes for publication). In spite of the poor/fair condition of the covers and some of the pages, everything is legible and none of the pages are missing. As far as we are able to discern, these recollections were never published (there is no Library of Congress mention). General Strong frequently gave speeches about wartime events, but obviously the text here is too substantial for that purpose.

Throughout, the recollections transcribed seem frank and direct, but Strong's historical revisionism is blatant in the pages he prepared in pencil (obviously as the manuscript pages were being edited) regarding the burning of Columbia, one of the most hotly debated episodes of the War. These pages alone make this a valuable historical document: Strong's original version, "I would like to write a few words about the burning of Columbia, but I have no language to express my indignation and abhorrence. I doubty very mych if there are many people living who could write a correct account of last night's work, or paint the scene as I saw it...I pray that I many never again witness the burning and sacking of a city filled with women and children, by a drunken and infuriated soldiery...The streets of the city were filled with drunken soldiers from nearly every regiment in the entire army swearing that the town should burn..." Strong's revised pages, echo the established Union Army line that the firing of cotton bales by Confederate troops were responsible, "There is no doubt that General Wade Hamption is directly responsible for the destruction of Columbia..." and places the blame for Union depredations on the justifiably vengeful ex-prisoners of war who had just been released "...understandably they were hoping the fires would get beyond control and destroy the city where they had been sujected to such cruel and inhuman treatment." Interestingly, current scholarship posits the idea that Confederate and Union troops were both to blame -- the cotton fires did rekindle, but additional efforts by Union soldiers increased the devastation in the city.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.

Authoritative War Accounts

Lot 524
General William E. Strong: The Death of Gen'l McPherson, The Capture of Fort McAllister. General William Emerson Strong (1840-1891) raised a company in Wisconsin immediately upon the first call for troops in April of 1861. After a good showing at Blackburn's Ford and the Battle of Bull run, he was promoted to Major of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry and thereafterassociated with the Army of the Tennessee. Strong was assigned to General McPherson's staff (he received McPherson's last orders moments before that General's death) and then served General Howard as Chief of Staff. After the war, Strong remained friends with General Sheridan and others and was dedicated to the memory of the Union Army, helping to found the Loyal Legion, giving speeches and collecting papers related to the Civil War.

Bound copybook with "carbon" copy of two reports by Gen. Strong. Fifty-four pages of text with eight blank pages in the center, leather-covered boards, front cover embossed with title.Toning; large water stains to top of pages, smaller stain at bottom (all of the pages remain largely legible, as do penciled comments by the General); one page is torn but complete. Good condition.

Copied here in a professional hand are two detailed reports, the first about the death of James Birdseye McPherson at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. McPherson's death was felt particularly hard by his fellow officers; he was the highest ranking officer inthe Union Army to be killed in battle and was universally admired, but the prevailing notion among civlians was that he died taking unncessary risks, possibly in deriliction of duty. Strong offers his account beliving that "a great injustice has been done in this regard" and "I deem it my duty to write out [for publication] the facts while they are still fresh in my memory." What follows is an amazingly detailed report, complete with the transcript of Sherman's last letter to McPherson about troop movements (dated July 22) and McPherson's subsequent letter to Gen. Dodge. Lt. Sherfy's (one of the men nearest the General when they encountered Rebel troops) account of the General's death is included, as is the report of Pvt. Reynolds, who was with the General when he died. A rare, detailed account of the death of a general and the battle of July 22.
The second record in this copybook is an equally detailed account of the capture of Fort McAllister on December 13, 1862. "'The fort must be captured' -- so said General Sherman the night previous in a special order..." A comprehensive account follows, which includes camp conditions, troop movements, conversation between officers, and the evacuation of Savannah. An invaluable and exhaustive account of the Union Army's activites in the South.
Estimated Value $700-UP.

Lot 525
Gettysburg Artifacts. Four bullets, one ball and one large metal shard collected as artifacts after the Battle of Gettysburg. A landmark in American history, Gettysburg marks the turning point of the Civil War and the assertion of the ultimate superiority of the Union forces. The amount of ammunition spent at Gettysburg is unimaginable even in these modern times of total warfare and this collection is a wonderful lot and representative of the fighting. We are fortunate to offer this collection of artifacts, mounted in cardboard with a plastic protective sheet.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 526
Letters from the Homefront. Lot of two letters, one obviously from the South. The southern letter, signed "EMM," is four pages (with another quarter page intertext), written from "Wildwood" August 13, 1862. The second letter, signed "From your affectionate mother, ASR," is dated Alington, August 17, 1861. The first letter may be related to our "Binni" lot, several of the names are similar and both correspondents mention Philadelphia and St. Louis. Both letters show some toning and edge separation at the folds, but are in very good condition, overall.

Our first letter talks about Poindexter's troops and the requisitioning of horses, as well as trying to arrange leave for an ill relative. A crisis has also arisen with "Mr. M, " in part: "...Mr. M. went in voluntarily long ago and took the Conventional oath intending religiously to keep it, not had he violated it. Tis a bad state of affairs truly when an unprincipled negro's testimony should be received to the injury of his master; whose rule in all cases has been to injure no man..."
The second letter reads from a mother concerned with her son's physical and spiritual health: "...Do you like the guard duty as well as you did, and, do you have to be on guard nights. I am afraid you tell us the best part and keep back the hardship and privations you meet with..." (a poignant note given how early in the War this letter was written -- any privation would be so much worse in four years, and the mother would probably know all about it from other sources). "...I want that you should write as often as you can for you cant think how anxious we feel about you and Rufus. I know that you will take as good care of yourself as you can without my asking you for our sakes at home. It is dark and I must close now..."
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 527
Receipt for Slave Forced to Labor on the Fortifications at Richmond. One page, 6¼ x 4", Richmond, March 4, 1864. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. C.P. Hyde signs as agent for Colonel W. H. Stevens, acknowledging the receipt of "Gilbert slave of A. Cunningham" from C.D. Bennett, Sheriff of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Toning at edges, else fine.

Slaves were impressed into work on the fortifications surrounding Richmond and Petersburg with great regularity, since the passage of an act in October, 1862, authorizing the Governor of Virginia to call slaves for labor on fortifications and public works. With the South under increased attack by Union forces, the need for laborers increased to the point that in September of 1864, General Lee called for the labor of five thousand slaves for thirty days and the Congress of the Confederacy recognized the necessity of such a move by authorizing his power to do so.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 528
Three Letters, Including General Farrar. Three letters, various lengths, all war date. Our first letter, on "Head Quarter, Army of the Potomac, Office of the Provost Marshal General" letterhead, is a request from Edson Fitch (after the war, he was a prominent match manufacturer and Mason) for leave to return home and settle his father's estate. To Brigadier General S. Williams. Docketed, commented on and ultimately denied on verso: "The interests of the service will admit only of the granting of leaves of absences in extreme cases and this is not considered an exceptional case." Very good to fine condition. The second letter, nine pages on "U.S. Sanitary Commission" stationery, signed "James Logan" and dated "Winchester Nov 7th 1864", contains a great deal of information about doctors and the wounded: "...When the field hospital of our corps was established and the wounded began to be brought in I went to work and did for the poor fellows to the extent my strength would admit. But O it is a sad sight to see so many poor fellows mangled bleeding and suffering from every variety of wound..." The third letter was written by Union General Bernard G. Farrar to "Jim" on May 25 (?). Apparently recuperating at a relative's home, Farrar writes of riding horses and cautions Jim about falling in love with "Eliza."
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 529
Two Confederate Prisoner of War Letters. Two letters written from Fort Delaware by G. Berkeley Grerne, Co. K, 18th Mississippi Volunteers, Division II. Written in January and February of 1865, presumably both to Mrs. Waddie Duckett. On lined paper, one small and one large quarto. Mailing folds with scattered edge separation on both letters, minor foxing and toning. Good to very good condition.

Illustrating the life of a prisoner of war, both letters resonate with gentility and gratitude for communication. "...I have heard too much of exchange news in the papers during the last 18 mo's to found any bright hopes of freedom upon them & only when I am on board a transport & sailing up James river will I ever be convinced...Since you so kindly offer to supply wants ...send a little money as I can't receive any thing else..." and "...I thank you for your kindness in forwarding...$5.00...it means I have been enabled to liquidate several little prison debts...I should like to have a good hairbrush and on of these knit smoking capes." Fort Delaware was the most brutal of the Union prisons and likened on a few occasions to the hellhole Andersonville.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 530
Two Confederate Wartime Letters. Lot of two letters, one from Johnson's Island Prison, the other written by Walter (Bowie?) of Mosby's Rangers.
The first letter, written by Henry H. Lumpkin to "My Dear Cousin". February 5, 1865 from Johnson's Island. Written on lined paper, mailing folds, minor edge separation, minor foxing. Obviously responding to an offer of help, Lumpkin writes "Your kind letter...was received yesterday, I can not take advantage of your generous offer just now, as I am in no great need..."I have been unwell for some days and shall endeavor to get a permit from the Surgeon to send to you for a box of provisions..." The second letter, three pages written while the soldier was "Home", September 29, 1864. To Mrs. Waddie Duckett. Mailing folds with some fold separation. Evidence of a personal conflict flows through this letter: "...certain things have been said about me -- And no chance even given to prove them false, I sought the opportunity and was constantly refused...I have never in the slightest degree acted in such a manner....I wish you would say to Alice that what she heard was false..." but the soldier's life remains unforgotten "..I am constantly in the field...Col Mosby has given me command of a company...I have faced death often lately and expect sooner or later to meet that fate..." An interesting letter with layers. We believe the writer may be Walter Bowie -- the last name is somewhat indistinguishable (not helped by the fold and split across the center) but definitely begins with a "B" and a Lt. Walter Bowie was in a newly formed company of Mosby's rangers (the unit was activated mid-September 1844). Walter Bowie was Mosby's premier scout in Maryland, and often visited his family while in the field. Killed in October 1864 while on a raid. The Bowies of Prince George's County had close family and social ties with the Ducketts, adding to the circumstantial evidence that this may indeed be a letter from Mosby's fallen scout -- a letter written mere days before his death.
Estimated Value $150-200.