Archive

#IM-14-BL

1/9^th Plate hand-tinted Ambrotype of an excessively rare subject, a Confederate Sailor, identified as James B Cahoon. Records say Cahoon was a mariner from Beaufort, NC, who enlisted in Co “I” 3^rd NC State Troops on 5-10-1861. On January 29^th, 1862, he was transferred to the Confederate Navy and served as a Master’s Mate on the CSS Raleigh. There were two CSS Raleighs. I am not sure which ship he served on. The Image is just beautifully tinted in blues and flesh tones. Subject wears a seaman’s blouse or work shirt and a kind of wheel hat. Image is identified by the name J B Cahoon scratched into the emulsion. This can only be seen when the frame is removed. Tragically, the image has been cracked in the upper right corner. It is a clean break and fits together nicely, but it is flawed. I have examined quite a few CS images in my time and can only recall seeing a handful noted as sailors. This is a rare thing, but priced accordingly because of the damage. Comes in a full thermoplastic case

#IM-2-BL
1/6th Plate Ambrotype of a Confederate Soldier from Texas wearing a wonderful floppy forage cap with a wonderful star device prominently displayed. His coat bears unusual piping around the collar. The image was found in an estate sale in Marshall, Texas and is pictured in the book, Still More Confederate Faces, page 30, upper left corner. There is some slight emulsion issues around the soldier's forehead and bill of the cap. But these do not effect the overall quality of this piece.
Texas images rarely come on the market

#IM-4-BL
1/6th Plate Ambrotype of a Confederate Chasseur/ Zouve from Louisiana. Image is bright and distinct. Subject wears Gray Kepi and Zouve style jacket with prominent piping on sleeves, collar and seams. Below the mat one can see the typical baggy Zouve trousers one would expect with such a soldier. The image originated in Louisiana and is possibly from one of the several New Orleans units dressed in such attire in the early months of the war. Image comes in full case.

#IM-10-BL
Confederate Archive of Captain Isaac A. Clarke, 1st Creek mounted Rifles. Includied in the grouping are his Confederate Bond Commission to equip the regiment, the anotated envelope in which it was sent, a note from General Edmund Kirby Smith's Headquarters discussing the said bond, a manuscript speech in Clarke's hand extolling the virtues of General Robert E. Lee, and this wonderful 1/6th Plate Ruby Ambrotype of Clarke in western battleshirt and slouch hat with a green tinted plume. Following his service as a quartermaster in this Native American Confederate Regiment, Clarke started a Creek Indian School in Arkansas. Trans-Mississippi Confederate material is hard to find. Needless to say, any Native American material related to the Confederacy is quite scarce.

#IM-11-BL
Nice Stereoview of Matthew Brady's famous iconic scene of Three Confederate Prisoners taken shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg near or upon Seminary Ridge. Card is from the series "Sights and Scenes from the Battlefield of Gettysburg." Image shows some staining and spotting, a slight chip on the upper left hand corner and a small mouse chew on the left corner. Overall a nice, clear view of this famous scene which is highly sought after.

#DC-1-BL
Early War Confederate Army of the Mississippi Copy Books. These are the carbon copies of the 1860s which provide tremendous insight into the astronomical problem of supplying the western Confederate Armies. The books are examples of Mann's patent Parchment Copying Paper and contain the correspondence of Confederate Adjudant General Jones Hamilton and Quartermaster Madison McAfee. Although these volumes are in poor condition with many pages missing and some illegible, there are approximately sixty Confederate letters remaining. They have great potential for resale and make wonderful display items.

#DC-5-BL
Terrific Confederate Letter with Gettysburg content. Four page ALS from Joseph H Woods, Co. G 27th North Carolina State Troops. Dateline Taylorsville, Va., July 25, 1863 to a lady friend of Woods back in NC.. Reads in part: .....the last letter I sent to you had the photograph of Gen Cook which I sent to you as a present....I hardly know what I would give for the chance of a visit to my native land in NC, but it is needless to think of such a thing....the government needs all her troops in the field...You have no doubt heard of the great battle ar Gettysburg....it was much the hardest battle of the war...thousands of men were slain on both sides....a great many of the wounded come by here on the cars...the whole fight amounted to a draw battle...General Lee got one months provisions...a great many horses and wagons...both armies are so crippled up at present that they will hardly offer battle soon...we had a little brush with the yanks....succeeded in driving them back without any loss on our side except one man in the 24th Regt...we killed and wounded some 25 or 30 at least of the Yanks. Much more good content. Letter on yellow paper, octavo, written with dull gray ink, light fading, but easily read. Gettysburg material is getting difficult to find.

#DC-6-BL
Absolutely fascinating Gettysburg manuscript, discussing, not only elements of the battle and campaign, but also the dedication of the National Cemetary. Possibly written by a member of the faculty at Gettysburg College, November 12, (1863) Reads in part: college is in full blast, about forty students present....when Lee's rebel army crossed the Potomac all kinds of business was stopped....a party of forty-five rebs came through town, stole all the horses...Lieutenant Horner and 24 men charged ...captured 12 men and 15 horses...June 30 had a fight in town...cavalry met the rebs and fell back to Emitsburg road...July 1 came the big fight at Gettysburg at 10 O'clock heard the canons roar... started to see the battle....went til the shells met him on the road....hear the yel of the Rebs and the cheers of the Yankeys as they charged forth and were driven back time and again...Rebs contented themselves with what they had done promising a victory the next day...Army of the Potomac with its tens of thousands some of them on the march for 36 hours went into their positions with a cheer to work with spade and pick to improve their positions...July 2 was on round top...the signal corps were there high above the combatants...(tried)to go back July 3 but could not...Cavalry at Fairfield...was on the hill...seen it all a number killed and wounded 175 taken prisoner...July 4 Rebs began to retreat...dirty greasy lousy looking men you ever saw...Yanks began to shell them...it done me so much good to see them run....the shells came pretty thick several passed between the house and barn...if you are able to travel jump into the cars...on or before the 19th inst when the National Cemetary is to be consecrated...Hon. Edward Everett is to deliver the oration...Uncle Abraham Lincoln and family is to be there and 50,000 more...Much more excellent content. Letter is unsigned and incomplete, octavo, four pages in total, very legible phonetic spelling. A rare window into the epic events at Gettysburg.

#DC-7-BL
Excellent Colonial letter discussing a privateer during King George's War. From New England merchant and financier Stephen Greenleaf. Dateline Boston February 20th, 1746, reads in part: I have yours at post covering Capt Morris, but must advise you that two ships sailed for South Carolina last week...I shall inquire for all opportunity and if possible shall send it forward to Carolina...Please inform Mr Vernon or any other concerned in ye Duke of Marlborough...that I have done little or nothing for ten days past, but attend upon ye courts and the sale and delivery of prise goods...this day we present the arguments on the last claims for salvage and now wait for the judges decree...please assure them that I shall push the affiar to a close as soon as possible...the repeated delays give me ten times the uneasiness that it can them...Very interesting content. The Duke of Marlborough was a privateer chartered by the Colony of Rhode Island which no doubt encountered issues of jurisdiction when capturing a French ship with cargo bound for Boston. One page quarto, excellent condition, easily read, one slight tear on fold. With address panel on reverse to Mr William White, Merchant, Newport. Very rare letter.

#DC-8-BL
A tragic tale of American Impressed Seamen during the Jefferson Administration. 2 page manuscript "Cicular" ALS written in the hand of American Consul to London, George W Erving datelined London, January 29, 1802, concerning one of the great issues of the time, the impressment, or forced service of American seamen into the British Navy, which would eventually lead to the War of 1812. To the Collector of the Port of Baltimore, reads in part:....The Ship Mary, Thomas Temple, Master, freighted by me for the purpose of carryng to the United States a number of our unfortunate countrymen lately discharged from the British Navy....put into Falmouth by stress of weather, where a fever having broken out she has hitherto been detained in quarantine; several of the passengers have died, but the disorder has at length disappeared...in the course of a few days proceed on her voyage...should this distemper break out again in the course of her voyage, the Master should therefore find it necessary to go to any other port than that of Norfolk, to which she is bound, I think it proper to give you this information in order that if the Mary may happen to arrive at Baltimore, you may take such precautions as you may deem proper to guard against the introduction of the disorder...One page, quarto, recto and verso, Erving's signature fine and large. Very slight seal tears on the left side affecting a few letters of a couple words only. A poignant letter describing a heartrending episode in the early years of our Nation.

CSBT 61 SL

NC 8

Dug North Carolina Coat Button. 23mm. S. A. MYERS b/m. Perfect NC button with chocolate brown patina with traces of gilt. Shank is perfectly straight. Unknown provenance.

CSBT 76 RE
MP 4

Dug Confederate Mississippi Button.21mm. HYDE & GOODRICH b/m. Nice Mississippi “I” button with chocolate brown patina with gilt in all the right places. Front has push and shank is missing. Rare button.

Dug near Bermuda Hundred, VA.

#IM-1-SL
Very Rare signed Cartes De Visite in uniform of Confederate Naval Lieutenant William Conway Whittle, Executive Officer of the famed Confederate Raider, CSS Shenandoah. Previous to his service on the Shenandaoh, Whittle had already proven to be one of the most daring and resourceful Confederate Seamen as a Blockade Runner of reknown.

#IM-6-BL
Outstanding 1/4 Plate Ambrotype of an Identified North Carolina Confederate, bearing a beautifully tinted company sized drum. Image identified in the back of the case as William P. Reese, Co. I, 16th North Carolina State Troops. Reese was listed as a musician/ drummer and was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines, May 31st, 1862. There is also a small Confederate imprint in the back of the case which deals with Certificates of Indebtedness, dated February 17th, 1864. Perhaps Resse worked in another faculty after being wounded. More research is needed. Subject is dressed in dark jacket, wears drum sash, and holds two large drumsticks. There is a slight blemish at the soldier's left wrist. Image has a soft focus with a mat halo around the edges. Shows up much better than my scan. The glare is from my camera. Image comes in a full case which has come apart at the seam.

#DC-9-BL
Very Rare Historic Content ALS from Confederate Secretary of The Treasury Christopher Memminger on Confederate Treasury Department letterhead to Major Edward McCrady discussing the merits of Confederate Ordnance Chief Josiah Gorgas vs the merits of Colonel, later Brigadier General Roswell Ripley. 2 1/2 pages, octavo, superb condition, Richmond, July 5, 1851, reads in part: "your letter of the 2nd in realtion to Col. Ripley was recieved today and I immediately made inquiry into the subject...according to the War Department, every just consideration has been made to Col. Ripley's claims. ..One of the most valuable and highly regarded officers in the service is Major Gorgas, whose commission dates in the army to 1841; Ripley's is in 1843. Gorgas is now the Chief of ordnance & highly esteemed by the Government and has the commission of Major...When the commission of Major was offered to Ripley, it put him just behind Gorgas, and if accepted...the President would have been able to offer him any special duty above his grade; and I understand from the President that he would have assigned him the command of Charleston Harbor upon the withdrawal of Beauregard...You will see, therefore, that Ripley himself has been the only obstruction to his own way..." Much more great content. With clerical copy form the War Department of the relative officers ranks and dates of service. Fine, bold signature "C C Memminger." A rare glimpse into behind the scenes manoevering in the Confederate Government

#DC-10-BL
Fascinating Confederate ALS from South Carolina's Governor, and also Brigadier General, Milledge Bonham to Confederate Secretary of War James A. Seddon, requesting the custody of a South Carolina soldier in Lee's Army who is wanted for murder back home. One page quarto with South Carolina Executive Department letterhead, Columbia November 23rd, 1864, reads in part: "Enclosed I send you a copy of the Coroner's Inquest held in Darlington District in this state by which it appears that one David McDonald is charged with murder of William Waters...I learn from JR Shaw, esq. the acting Coroner that McDonald is now in Captain Whitner's company, 4th Regiment SC Cavalry...I therefore request that the said McDonald may be delivered to myself as the Executive of the state....so he may be brought to trial for the offense with which he stand if charged..." Bold signature "M L Bonham." With numerous endorsements on verso, including that of Walter Taylor of General Lee's staff, Asisstant Adjudant General John Withers, and the commander of the 4th SC Cavalry, William Stokes, who insists there is no McDonald in his regiment. The matter is apparently returned to the attention of General Lee. Overall good condition, some tears on folds, again, a rare piece

#DC-11-BL
Manuscript Confederate Report ADS by Captain J A Thomas 21st South Carolina Infantry to Colonel James Chestnut (Husband of the famous Diarist Mary Chestnut) describing the defenses and logistics of defending the Columbia area. With wonderful and very rare letterhead, Superintendant's Office Arsenal Academy Columbia, SC, Feb 22, 1862, reads in part: " About two miles below the bridge and one half mile above the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree rivers, there is a high projecting bluff, overlooking the river...50 or 75 feet above the level of the stream...this position I deem unsuitable for the location of a battery...place a battery sufficiently near to command the channel below and it would be enfiladed by the river on the right and it owuld be impossible to mask it...place it farther back and it would be impossible, without a good deal of labor, to put your guns to bear on the river below...Riflemen, however, at this point, might annoy the enemy in his boats, and if the river were here obstructed, men in small boats might dash out from behind their cover and ? the hostile boats..." More interesting content. 3 pages, quarto, light fading, but easily read. Interesting that preparations were being made for the defense of Columbia, an attack which came less than three years later.

#DC-12-BL
Interesting ALS from Confederate Brigadier General Roswell Ripley to Colonel George Brent requesting that he not be assigned to General PGT Beauregard's command. 1 page, quarto, Charleton, January 20th, 1865, reads in part: "Colonel, I have the honor to enclose herewith a letter to the adj and insp, Gen'l requesting that when my leave of absence expires, I may not be ordered to the command of Gen GT Beauregard...Fine, bold signature with sentiment. Roswell Ripley was known as an excellent field commander who did not get along with his superiors, the most prominent of which was General Beauregard. Rare war dated letter from a Confederate General.

#DC-13-BL
Rare war date ADS Special Order by Confederate Brigadier General Humphrey Marshall. 1 page octavo app. 4" x 7" dateline Wytheville, Va, Monday December 14th, no date but most likely 1861. Reads as follows: "Colonel Moore ( or in his absence the officer commanding the 29th Regiment) will withdraw his force from Rocky Gap immediately and will march the entire regiment without delay to Wytheville...If the transportation is not ready, bring the men, their arms and camp equipage: for the regiment is demanded for immediate service." Wonderful hastily written quality to this emergency order, boldly signed by Marshall. Outlines the sometimes desperate nature of Confederate manpower.

#DC-14-BL
Rare Confederate LS signed by Josiah Gorgas, Major & Chief of Ordnance, with Confederate States of America War Department, Ordnance Office letterhead. 1 page quarto, Richmond, July 21st, 1861, the date of the Battle of First Manassas, addressed to General Foster in Atlanta, reads in part: "I have recieved your letter of the 17th inst. and in reply would say that you may ratify the contract with Harris & Thrasher at $4.75. They must be cautioned however as the quality of the articles furnished. The sample they exhibited here was the very best we had then seen and made me anxious to get accoutrements of them. I think the shoulder belts cost us here from 70 to 75 cents. It is necessary for us to have some sets separate from the knapsacks as more troops arrive with knapsacks. You may extend your contracts in Georgia if you can do so, on favorable terms, to one hundred thousand sets, including knapsacks to be delivered within six months..." Just wonderful content showing some of the difficulties Gorgas had in the procurement of weapons and accoutrements for the growing number of volunteers in Virginia

CSBT 01 RE
CS 184

Dug Confederate Infantry Coat Button. Cast one-piece. Cast “I” button Heavy ground action. Good solid button.

Dug near Atlanta, GA.

CSBT 07 SL

CS 117

Dug Confederate Artillery Coat Button. 23mm. tib b/m. Roman “A” button with nice dark brown dug patina. Shank is missing. No provenance of where it was dug.

USBT 10 SL
GI 88

Dug Union Infantry Eagle Button. 23mm. HORSTMANN BROS b/m. Two-piece eagle with tons of gilt in all the right places. No pushes at all. This button has an absolutely perfect shank with very legible backmark. No provenance of where it was dug.

USPL 26 RE

Dug U.S. Eagle Plate with a magnificent chocolate dug patina. This plate is absolutely perfect with both iron hooks intact. The back contains all lead with no flaws. Plate was excavated at Chancellorsville, VA.

#MS-2-BL

Wonderful excavated Union Bullseye Canteen. According to the tag affixed to the artifact, it was recovered in White Oak Swamp near Richmond, Virginia, also the scene of some very heavy fighting in the Seven Days Campaign. Very good dug condition, missing one sling band, dent and split seam at the bottom. The spout is intact and in good condition. Wonderful display item and pretty rare to find these days.

Main Navigation

NC 8

CSBT 76 RE MP 4

CSBT 76 RE
MP 4