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THBCivil War Letters Referencing Capture of Ft. Sumter and Eyewitness Account of Generals Pickett and Longstreet
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Lot of 2 Civil War letters.
Martin, Edward. ALS, 8pp, approx. 6.5 x 8 in., "Post office/Watsonville Cal." April 27, 1861. Addressed to his "Dear Uncle Lew."
Seay, Phillip (1838-1896). ALS, 4pp, 5.75 x 8.5 in., "Camp Near Dismal Swamp/Nansamond Co. Va." April 27 and April 30, 1863. Addressed to his "Dear Sister Rella."
The first letter in this lot was written from California just fifteen days after the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Ft. Sumter. Martin mostly discusses family affairs with his uncle and his situation in California, but takes a moment to reflect upon the onslaught of hostilities in the East. "We have just recd the news of the capture of Fort Sumter and are very indignant. California is sound on the Union question as a whole, and we earnestly trust that it will yet be all right in the East, tho' I think it is very doubtful of a re-union, the South has had this in view for some time aided by some [rough?] faces in the North."
Two years later as the war continued on, a soldier writes to his sister and provides an eyewitness account of both Generals George E. Pickett and James Longstreet. Second Lt. Phillip Seay was a Confederate soldier with Co. C., 14th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Pickett's Brigade, Longstreet's Division, Army of Northern Virginia. At the time of this letter, Seay was in Virginia enjoying a period of relative quiet. He writes to his sister of the beauty of his location, a letter from his sweetheart, and inquires of news from home. He also shares an exciting moment with his sister: "Rel, Genl. Pickett & Staff are just passing. If you could happen to be here about now you could see our Brigadier General and our Major General. Both of them are fine looking men. I saw General Longstreet the other day. He is [a] very [good] looking man indeed." Just a few months later Seay would be in the thick of battle, wounded with a gunshot to the abdomen while participating in Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. He would subsequently be captured, spend time at DeCamp Genreal Hospital, and be transferred to Johnson's Island Prison. He was exchanged on March 14, 1865.
Condition
Item 1 is in good condition with very minor soiling and a small tear along horizontal fold on page 7/8.
Item 2 is toned with some bleed through of ink from one side of paper to the other making text at times difficult to decipher. However, letter comes with complete transcription. Also some soiling and dampstains. Minor tear and loss along horizontal fold on page 3/4.
Item is in good condition with expected age splits to the walnut veneer.
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