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1. BANKS, Nathaniel P. (1816-94). Signature.
This Massachusetts representative and governor is better known as a major general in the Civil War; as commander of the Department of the Gulf he captured Port Hudson. Bold clipped signature, 2½ " X 1", n.p., n.d. Very good. Initial upstroke of "N" obliterated, else bold and handsome. This item has been handsomely and archivally matted together with a vintage steel engraving of a seated Banks in uniform and framed in a 3/4" wood-and-gilt frame under ultraviolet-filtering glass (overall dimensions 10" X 14½").
Price: $200.00

2. BARRON, Washington (1817-66). Document Signed.
Tennessee representative arrested by Governor Andrew Johnson in 1862 because of his Southern sympathies and released by Lincoln. DS, 7 3/4" X 10", 1p, Washington, DC, 1847 December 8. Very good. Old catalogue slip affixed to lower right corner and purple pencilled docket at lower left corner. Request that one William D. Miller be reappointed as a Senate page, signed by Barron and several southern colleagues: JOHN M. BOTTS (1802-69), Virginia representative and author of "The Great Rebellion"; THOMAS S. FLUORNOY (1811-83), Virginia representative and Confederate officer; ANDREW S. FULTON (1800-84), Virginia representative; C.S. MOREHEAD (1802-68), Kentucky representative and governor, imprisoned for a time during the Civil War; and WILLIAM BALLARD PRESTON (1805-62), Virginia representative, Taylor's secretary of the navy and member of the Confederate Congress. An interesting and scarce assemblage of names.
Price: $275.00

3. BRECKINRIDGE, John C., Jr. (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
Son of the Confederate major general and secretary of war who had been vice president under Buchanan and U.S. senator from Kentucky; Breckinridge Sr. fought with three of his sons in the war. ALS, 2pp (2nd and 3rd leaves), 4 3/4" X 6 1/2", Northampton, MA, 1903 June 23. Addressed to Captain Isaac P. Gragg. Fine. Breckinridge (who rose to the same rank as his father) accepts an invitation to attend the dedication of a statue honoring General Joseph Hooker, "this Soldier Son of Massachusetts." Unusual.
Price: $125.00

4. CAMERON, Simon (1799-1889). Autograph Letter Signed.
American financier; Pennsylvania senator (1845-49, 1857-61, 1867-77); secretary of war under Lincoln; U.S. minister to Russia (1862). ALS, 1p, 7 1/2" X 8 1/2", Middletown, PA, 1837 February 14. Addressed to Henry Augustus Philip Muhlenberg (1782-1844), clergyman, diplomat and politician. Fair to good. 1 1/2" piece missing from right edge, affecting two words; several small tears mended on verso with archival tape; some soiling; mounting traces on verso. Cameron, then a wealthy businessman, writes then-Congressman Muhlenberg recommending H.S. Crobb for the office of navy agent. "There will, of course, as is usual in Phila. be a horde of applicants for this office, but none of the names within my knowledge can be so entirely unobjectionable..." A 1" X 1 1/4" vintage photograph of Cameron has been affixed alongside the signature; nevertheless, an interesting and early Cameron item.
Price: $195.00

5. (CIVIL WAR -- Massachusetts -- Volunteers). Partly-Printed Autograph Document Signed.
Partly-Printed ADS, 1p, 7¼" X 3", Northbridge, 1865 September 1. Very good. Rather crudely printed form with American flag steelcut at left and soldier steelcut at right. Text reads: "Received, NORTHBRIDGE, Sept 1, 1865, from the Selectmen of Northbridge, twenty four Dollars, in full to Aug 31/65 for myself & 2 chil as provided for by "An act in aid of the families of volunteers." Signed below by one "Mary Fox," presumably the widow of a soldier from this town -- likely Massachusetts and possibly with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Interesting example of one town's charitable attempt to support its Civil War widows. Clean and attractive.
Price: $50.00

6. (CIVIL WAR -- SCHOLARS). Document Signed.
Printed DS, 4pp (rectos only), 8½" X 14", New York, NY, 1955 November 11. Very good. Staple holes at upper left. Mimeographed press release captioned "Formation of Civil War Centennial Association Announced Before Meeting of the Southern Historical Association," signed on the verso of the last page by eight of the directors named in the text. In order: Robert S. Henry (1889-1979, popular Civil War writer), Robert L. Kincaid (president, Lincoln Memorial University), Bell I. Wiley (1906-80, prolific Civil War scholar), Bruce Catton (1899-1978, Pulitzer prize-winning Civil War historian), Benjamin P. Thomas (1902-56, Lincoln biographer), Ezra J. Warner (1910-74, Civil War author), Joseph T. Durkin (Civil War scholar), and Paul B. Freeland. Civil War scholar E.B. Long (1919-81) also signs, as do two others. An unusual assemblage, a veritable Who’s Who of Civil War writers.
Price: $195.00

7. (CIVIL WAR -- SOLDIER'S LETTER). "Laurens" (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
Letter from this Union soldier, apparently an Illinoisan in an Illinois regiment. ALS, 4pp, 5" X 8", Kingston, GA, 1864 May 21. Addressed to "Mother" (first 3pp) and to "Brothers" (last page). Very good. Interesting eclectic contents, reading in part: "... since we left Pulaski... we have been kept on the move so steady.... We left our camp near Resaca on the 14th inst; That day and the two following there was continued and severe fighting, we being on the extreme right of the line were not in the heaviest of the fighting though our division forced the passage of the Oostanaula river in the face of the enemy, our artillery dismounting two pieces of theirs and our brigade capturing one stand of colors. The river at the point where we crossed is about two thirds the width of the Fox, but very deep and rapid. Our boys crossed in pontoons and after our brigade was across these pontoons were formed into a bridge for the passage of the others; The total loss of the division in the whole affair was from 250 to 300.... After getting fairly over the river we pushed on, skirmishing nearly all the way to this place, where I hear the advance had quite a little fight, capturing some 700 prisoners and two trains of cars between this place and Rome. The 4th Corps are four miles from here but as we don't know how soon we may leave, I don't hardly think I shall try to go over to find Henry for the present. When we get to Atlanta and settle down a little perhaps I may see him. Ben. Stephens and Henry Town were over to see us the other day. Town is in Co. A 1st Ill. Artillery looks if possible more like an indian than ever. They both belong to the 15th Corps which is near us most of the time....." Letter to brothers Sam and Willie on last page consists largely of advice on taking care of his revolver. A bit cryptic, but worthwhile content nonetheless.
Price: $95.00

8. CIVIL WAR / CONANT, M. (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
Fascinating post-war (by one day!) letter from a Washingtonian, apparently a businessman. ALS, 4pp, 5" X 8", Washington, DC, 1865 April 11. Addressed to George May Powell. Fine. Among other matters, Conant discusses Washington on the day of surrender, April 10: "...You would have been surprised to see how some of the grave men and women behaved themselves here on its reception. But no wonder that right souls were lifted up by it. Like the cloud-liftings to the weatherbound mariner, it came as a boon from Heaven. We are undoubtedly on the eve of very great changes; and such as will afford opportunities for men of your Stamp to make a much better investment of their 'funded capital' than to remain in the employ of the Government...." Conant also discusses a business opportunity in the manufacture of prosthetic limbs and Powell's proposition for marketing a photo montage of Union leaders ("I do believe a fortune might be made in the prosecution of that Scheme. I should like to see it go forward, in the form of the most exquisite Mezzotint."). An exciting letter full of the exhilarating "mephitic atmosphere" (as Conant describes it) of post-war Washington.
Price: $200.00

9. COBB, Howell (1815-68). Signature and Inscription.
This Georgia representative and governor served as treasury secretary under Buchanan (1857-60), then joined the Confederate cause as a general. Closing portion only of an Autograph Letter signed, 1p, 5" X 2", n.p., n.d. Near fine. Reads in full: "I am very respectfully / Yours truly / Howell Cobb / AW Austin Esqr." This item has been tastefully triple matted in tan and brown (with gold filigree) above an engraved brass nameplate and alongside a modern print of a superb portrait of Cobb, the whole in a 1" wood-and-gilt frame (overall dimensions 17" X 12"). A handsome presentation.
Price: $275.00

10. CONGER, Arthur L. (1872-1951). Autograph Note Signed.
Distinguished American Army officer and author of Civil War studies such as "The Rise of U.S. Grant" (1931). ANS, 1p, 4½" X 5", Washington, D.C., 1931 September 5. Addressed to Mr. Trevillian. Very good. Pleasant note to a reader: "I appreciate doubly a word of encouragement from dear old Virginia. In the next year or so I hope to do a book on Gen’l. Lee." This projected work never came to pass.
Price: $75.00

11. DAVIES, Henry E. (1836-94). Signature.
This New York attorney became major general of volunteers in the Civil War, serving as "a cavalryman by instinct" from 1861-65. Small clipped signature, 2" X ½", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Bold, quick and typical "HE Davies." Most likely from a legal document of some sort, for Davies literally "signs on the dotted line."
Price: $50.00

12. DICKINSON, Joseph W. (1830-1904). Autograph Letter Signed.
Union general; served on General Joseph Hooker's staff. ALS, 1p, 5" X 6½", Washington, DC, 1903 May 18. Addressed to the Committee on Dedication of the Statue to Maj. Genl. Hooker. Fine. Graciously accepts invitation to be special guest at the dedication of an equestrian statue of his former boss.
Price: $125.00

13. DIX, John A. (1798-1879). Document Signed.
Major general in charge of the Department of Maryland and the East; as treasury secretary, he is credited with saying, "If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot!" Printed DS, 1p, 13" X 6¼", New York, NY, n.d. Fine. Stock certificate ("Construction Stock"), never filled in or issued, for shares in the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad Company, bearing a superb, bold Dix signature as president of the organization. Printed entirely in deep green, with a handsome vignette depicting a puffing locomotive crossing the plains amidst a herd of stampeding buffalo, with several Indians in the foreground (one horseback) observing; three smaller vignettes depict a steamboat, an Indian warrior and an Indian mother with her child. A striking piece.
Price: $175.00

14. FOSTER, Edwin J. (1849-1939) and REESE, John (?-?). Signatures.
Two successive Commanders-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.); Foster served with Company E of the 40th Wisconsin Infantry and was elected commander in 1929 (1929-30 term); of Reese's war service we find no record, but he was elected commander in 1928 (1928-29 term). Pair of choice signatures, each 4½" X 3¼", n.y. Near fine. Below Foster's old-age signature, on cream-colored stock, he adds "Com in chief GAR" (thus dating it to the 1929-30 period); below Reese's signature, on pink-colored stock, he adds "Past Commander-in-Chief / G.A.R / Broken Bone / Nebraska." (Broken Bone was the site of the G.A.R.'s national headquarters during Reese's term as commander.) An attractive and unusual pair of G.A.R. items.
Price: $50.00

15. FRANKLIN, Desiree L. (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed / Typed Document Signed.
This "elderly southern lady of spirit and determination" (according to one source) served as chairman of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and president of their New York Division; she is often remembered, though, for having practically singlehandedly spearheaded the movement to get Jefferson Davis elected to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans -- though she got him on the ballot in 1960 and again in 1965, he lost both times. ALS, 1p, 7¼" X 10½", New York, NY, 1960 May 2. Near fine. Addressed to noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar ARNOLD F. GATES (1914-93). On "United Daughters of the Confederacy" letterhead, Miss Desiree (as one is wont to call her) remarks on the upcoming vote on Davis's election, "Judge Beard was most gracious in making certain changes that may strengthen the resolution, however please delete or add anything that you may deem advisable." She also notes, "Herewith the compendium detailing a few of the achievements of Jefferson Davis which was compiled only as a means of evidencing the reason why many distinguished Americans believe that he should join other great patriots in the Hall of Fame corridor...." Boldly penned in Franklin's odd and distinctive script, signed in full. The "compendium" referred to is present, a TDS, 3pp (rectos only), 8½" X 14", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Single faint original horizontal fold; light even age toning; staple hole at upper left of each page. Titled "Activities and Achievements of Jefferson Davis," this essay sums up Davis's biography in glowing terms, then closes in true flag-waving style: "Verily a monumental record of wisdom and achievement which we trust will be recognized in its full measure by men and women of distinction throughout our land so that the misconceptions, the misrepresentations that have enveloped the life deeds of Jefferson Davis may be forever destroyed and true American justice emerge to crown with glory -- this intrepid soldier, this magnificent statesman, this distinguished administrator, this wonderful man of destiny, this true American patriot, this soul of stainless honor , Jefferson Davis." Signed in full by Franklin at the conclusion. Extremely interesting pair regarding to Davis's proposed election to the Hall of Fame -- which went down in defeat. Unusual pair from this unusual figure.
Price: $100.00

16. GOLDSBOROUGH, John R. (1808-77). Document Signed.
The younger brother of famed naval admiral Louis M. Goldsborough himself had a distinguished naval career: as commander of the screw steamer "Union," he partook in the blockade of Savannah, captured a variety of Confederate ships and received a special commendation from Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles for his ship's daring exploits. Small DS, 1p, 2½" X 2", Mare Island, CA, 1870 July 6. Very good. Slight mounting traces on verso. Printed receipt issued by the "Commandant's Office" for an item forwarded by the commodore, signed in full with his usual small but handsome signature. Very attractive piece.
Price: $95.00

17. GOVAN, Gilbert E. (1892-?). Typed Letter Signed.
The long-time University of Chattanooga librarian (1934-62) and professor was best known for having authored/edited popular Civil War books with James W. Livingood such as "A Different Valor: The Story of General Joseph W. Johnston, C.S.A." (1956) and "The Haskell Memoirs: The Personal Narrative of a Confederate Officer" (1960). TLS, 2pp, 6" X 7", Lookout Mountain, TN, 1973 September 14. Addressed to noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar ARNOLD F. GATES (1914-93). Near fine. Chatty note to a fellow Civil War researcher explaining his tardiness in receiving mail. Bit of Civil War content: "In 1864 the Federal Army developed a practice still carried of having traveling theatrical troupes, baseball teams and other groups of entertainers appear before the troops in the field. Unfortunately, March 1864 is a period when Chattanooga newspaper files are scant, so I can't check to see if those companies played here, as well as Nashville, but the state library probably has a better file of the Nashville papers...." Signed in full in black ballpoint. With original envelope.
Price: $40.00

18. GRESHAM, Walter Quintin (1832-95). Signature.
This Union major-general of volunteers in the Civil War served as postmaster-general under Arthur (1883-84) and secretary of state under Cleveland (1893-95). Large bold signature, heavy stock 4 3/4" X 2 3/4" card, n.p. [1894]. Very good. Mounting traces on verso. An attractive example.
Price: $50.00

19. HARRIS, Isham G. (1818-97). Signature.
This Tennessee representative (1849-53) and governor (1857-63) spearheaded that state's secession, and as governor in exile he served on the staffs of Johnston and Bragg; U.S. senator, 1877-97. Clipped signature (in pencil), 2½" by ½", n.p., n.d. Very good. Nice, clean example.
Price: $40.00

20. HIGGINSON, Thomas Wentworth (1823-1911). Autograph Letter Signed.
This minister of many talents is best known for his Civil War service, in which as a colonel he commanded the Union's first black regiment (recounted in his 1870 book "Army Life in a Black Regiment"); a rabid abolitionist, he was also active in the women's suffrage movement; as a friend and correspondent of Emily Dickinson, he championed her work and helped edit her poetry. ALS, 2pp, 4½" X 6 3/4", Cambridge, MA, 1897 April 24. Addressed to Florence. Near fine. Friendly note on blue-embossed "TWH" letterhead, remarking: "These missing stamps have just come to light and as you never used my check, and Margaret has gone out of the stamp business, I beg you to use them in the best way. We sail for Europe this afternoon, to be gone for six months & if any of you are over there I beg you to let us know... your address." He closes most curiously: "Tell your mama that Mr. Dharmapele is here more picturesque in saffron robes than even in the white ones in which she used to annoy him....."
Price: $150.00

21. HIGGINSON, Thomas Wentworth (1823-1911). Autograph Letter Signed.
This minister of many talents is best known for his Civil War service, in which as a colonel he commanded the Union's first black regiment (recounted in his 1870 book "Army Life in a Black Regiment"); a rabid abolitionist, he was also active in the women's suffrage movement; as a friend and correspondent of Emily Dickinson, he championed her work and helped edit her poetry. ALS, 1p, 5½" X 6 3/4", Cambridge, MA, 1910 April 23. Addressed to Charles R. Hazeltine. Near fine. Declines an invitation: "I am now 86 years old and though well and fairly active at home, I am not able to accept any invitations from a distance or stay at home over night." Then makes a cryptic but intriguing comment that we haven't been able to pin down but which warrants research: "I am acquainted with Cadman's book about Brook & think he was not there during its first year, which was the most interesting." Likely a reference to Brook Farm, the Transcendentalist's short-lived (1841-47) Utopian community.
Price: $150.00

22. HOVEY, Alvin P. (1821-91). Document Signed.
Grant praised this Union major general for his victory at pivotal Champion Hill during the Vicksburg Campaign; later he served Indiana in Congress and as governor (1889-91), where he died in office. Partly-printed DS, 1p, 11" X 17", Indianapolis, IN, 1891 October 3. Near fine. Gold flute-edged seal present and mint. Appoints John S. Tarkington of Marion, Indiana, as notary public. Large, elaborate engraved vignette at top. Co-signed as secretary of state by Claude Matthews (1845-1898), governor from 1893 to 1897. A choice display item, signed very shortly before Hovey’s death in office.
Price: $200.00

23. JOUETT, James E. (1826-1902). Autograph Letter Signed.
When Farragut ordered "Damn the torpedoes!" at Mobile Bay in 1864, it was Jouett to whom he spoke; Jouett also commanded the U.S.S. "Metacomet" in the Gulf of Mexico. Autograph Letter Signed, 2pp, 7 3/4" X 9 3/4", Philadelphia, PA, 1866 August 3. Addressed to Thomas H. Stevens (1819-96), American naval officer who on September 8, 1863, commanded the daring night boat attack on Fort Sumter. Near fine. "U.S. Naval Rendezvous" letterhead. Lengthy pep and strategy talk regarding Stevens failure to achieve a promotion. Choice, colorful comments, reading in part: "Knowing your ardent proud and sensitive nature, and disposition, & feeling as you must, this rankest of injustice, I am afraid Tom you'll take some nasty step -- which will compromise your claims to that justice -- which, tho. now withheld, will yet be done you. Ah! its a grievous shame, and inexplicable mystery to all who know you -- not only to those who personally know and love you -- but to those who have long followed you in this War -- who know you simply from your record.... Know that I for one -- instead of feeling joy at these Promotions, feel sorrow & regret -- and if I feel thus who am regarded & Congratulated upon my success & fortune -- God!... Keep cool, bide your time, dont mix in any Clique of Officers or Citizens. Stand or fall as Tom Stevens, on your own bottom...." In 1866 Stevens was named lighthouse inspector for the 11th Treasury District and promoted to captain -- but whether this was the promotion Jouett refers to is unclear. Possibly Stevens had hoped for a higher promotion than captain and Jouett commiserates about this. If it was the rank of commodore that Stevens was shooting for, this would not come until 1873. In any case, an exceptionally interesting letter in superb condition.
Price: $295.00

24. KING, Charles (1844-1933). Autograph Note Signed.
This brigadier general survived the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Indian uprisings, the Phillipine insurrection and World War One -- then died after tripping on a rug; when he wasn't fightin', he was writing', producing almost 60 novels about army life and frontier romance. ANS, 1p, heavy stock 4¼" X 3½" card, Milwaukee, WI, n.y. Addressed to Stalham L. Williams Jr. Near fine. Minor mounting traces on verso. Thanks a correspondent for a "pleasant letter" and a "valued suggestion" -- clearly a book idea -- and continues: "Just now I am 'loaded to the guards' with work but in that indefinite future -- 'one of these days' -- I may be able to handle that subject 'without gloves.'" Bold and quite attractive.
Price: $150.00

25. LAMAR, Lucius Q. C. (1825-93). Signature.
The Confederate officer and envoy to Russia (1862) served as a Georgia representative both before (1857-60) and after (1873-77) the Civil War; he also served that state as senator before becoming secretary of the interior (1885-88) and U.S. Supreme Court associate justice (1888-93). Bold clipped signature, 2½" X 1", n.p., n.d. [likely post Civil War]. Very good. Minor age toning along bottom margin, else a nice example.
Price: $95.00

26. LeDUC, William G. (1823-1917). Autograph Letter Signed.
This breveted Union general from Minnesota served as a quartermaster under McClellan, Hooker, Sherman and Thomas; in 1877 President Hayes appointed him Commissioner of Agriculture; not until 1963 was his autobiography published, under the title "Recollections of a Civil War Quartermaster." ALS, 1p, 5" X 8", Hastings, Minnesota, 1903 June 7. Addressed to Captain Gragg. Near fine. Takes back an earlier acceptance to attend the unveiling of a statue honoring his former commander, General Hooker. "Genls Reynolds and Ballock and Oliver and Tremain living near bye comparatively will I hope be with you as I will in spirit...." Signs off "your disappointed Comrade." Interesting.
Price: $175.00

27. LOVEJOY, Owen (1811-64). Signature / Carte-de-Visite.
The brother of Abolitionist martyr Elijah Lovejoy was himself a noted Abolitionist, a Congregational clergyman and politician; a staunch Lincoln supporter, he was elected to Congress from Illinois in 1857, but in 1861 took a leave of absence to become a colonel in the infantry. Signature (and "MC" below) boldly penned in brown ink, 2½" X 1" manila slip, n.p., n.y. [penned as "M[ember of]C[ongress]," thus dating it 1857-61]. Surely a free-franking signature clipped from the corner of a typical manila-colored envelope of the period, though Lovejoy does not note "free." Accompanied by an exceptional carte-de-visite, 2¼" X 4", Boston, MA, n.y. [ca. 1862]. Very good. Not your run-of-the-mill c.d.v., but rather a striking lithographic head-and-shoulders portrait of Lovejoy in his Union uniform. The card itself bears a decorative gold border and matching gold oval within which Lovejoy's likeness appears. A typically superb likeness it is, too, depicting a jaunty and confident Lovejoy with photographic precision. Beneath the oval is the caption, "COL. OWEN LOVEJOY, / of Ill." and publisher's credits ("J.H. Bufford Pub. Boston Mass. / C.F. Morse & Co. Agents Washington"). Though not dated, the Bufford firm became "J.H. Bufford & Sons" from 1865 to 1867, which dates this piece to the Civil War period. A most handsome image in unusual form. Bufford (1810-70), one of the major lithographers of the 19th century, issued portraits of many leading Civil War figures in this same decorative gold-bordered form. Scarce.
Price: $150.00

28. McCLERNAND, John A. (1812-1900). Document Signed.
This Brigadier General of Volunteers in the Civil War, described by one source as "ambitious and untactful... resented dictation, dislike West Pointers, and never forgot his political fences in Illinois," led the XIII Corps -- and no one heralded their accomplishments more than he. DS, 1p, 8" X 9", n.p., 1866 October 24. Very good. Titled "James McLaughlin / VS / Chicago & Alton Rail Road Company," this legal brief is likely in the hand of noted Illinois attorney NATHANIEL HAY (who signs off as simply "Hay for deft"), relative of Lincoln's secretary John Hay and partner in the well-known Springfield law firm of Amos & Hay. It is a delightfully garbled statement in classic legalese regarding this obscure legal action, reading in part: "The said defendant by its attorney comes and defends the wrong & injury when &c it says to the said plaintiff's declaration and to all count thereof severally the... matters and things herein set forth, and in each count severally set forth are insufficient in law for the plaintiff to have and maintain his aforesaid action against it...." McClernand concurs by adding the Latin phrase "Joinder in Demurrer" and signing with his firm's name, "McClernand, Broadwell & Springer / attys. for Plt." Accompanied by a large (8¼" X 10½"), vintage steel-engraved head-and-shoulders portrait of McClernand in Union uniform. Intriguing and worth further research.
Price: $175.00

29. MERRILL, Lewis (1834-96). Autograph Letter Signed.
This 1855 West Point graduate served with the 2nd Missouri Cavalry and acted as Fremont's Chief of Cavalry, attaining the rank of brevet brigadier general (USV); in 1868, he was responsible for breaking up the Ku Klux Klan in South Carolina. Lengthy, detailed ALS, 4pp (rectos only), 8" X 12½", Philadelphia, PA, 1885 September 22. Very good. In this unusual missive, Merrill elaborates on some cryptic financial difficulties assumed by a stupendous task he has undertaken, possibly the writing of a family geneology: "But my hand is to the plow and I must not look back." He criticizes current geneologies: "I have only the most profound contempt for that sort of stuff which is half of it photographs or steel engravings of the wealthy of the name (commonly well paid for) and who are all commonly the least meritorious of the blood, and the other half a wearisome plaudit of the living generation with views of their houses and barns et. cet. well calculated to catch subscribers for the erudite work of such historians... Whatever I do, I will not do that.... Our name is an honorable one, and I have yet to find one who has disgraced it...." Extremely interesting and scarce. "Geneology like history is naught if it is not truth."
Price: $325.00

30. MILES, Nelson A. (1839-1925). Typed Letter Signed.
The Medal of Honor-winning Union general served as custodian of Jefferson Davis at Fortress Monroe (1865-66), then achieved great success as an Indian fighter, leading campaigns against the Apache, Sioux and Nez Perce tribes; it was he who captured Geronimo in 1886. TLS, 1p, 7 3/4" X 10½", Chicago, IL, 1890 October 23. Addressed to General Henry M. Cist (1839-1902), Union general. Near fine. On "Headquarters Division of the Missouri," Miles regrets he cannot help General Cist in a quest for information regarding Colonel Spencer W. Cone of the 61st New York Infantry: "...I am not able to give you the information you desire, as I was not connected with the 61st New York Infantry at the time Colonel Cone was. I have, however, referred your letter to General Francis C. Barlow...." Bold full signature.
Price: $300.00

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