Confederate POW from Gettysburg, Lieutenant Thomas Fargason, 14th Alabama Infantry, Civil War Letters from Johnson's Island

Lot 96

About Seller

6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

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About Auction

American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. by Cowan's Auctions

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American History, Featuring the Property of N...

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Jun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017

Set Reminder 2017-06-09 10:00:00 2017-06-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History, Featuring the Property of N. Flayderman & Co. https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-featuring-the-property-of-n-flayderman-co-2392 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

War-date Confederate officer's POW letter collection consisting of 4 single-sided letters written by 1st Lieutenant Thomas B. Fargason, Company D, 14th Alabama Infantry, while prisoner at Johnson's Island, OH, after being captured at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.

As stated, Fargason's letters are written from Johnson's Island. They are dated December 22, 1863; January 10, January 29, and May 26, 1864. Based on the narrative that unfolds in the letters, Fargason was in possession of a Bible that belonged to Private Stephen Warren, 13th Massachusetts Volunteers, who was then acting as hospital attendant at the USA General Hospital at Frederick, MD. Now, Fargason wanted to return the Bible to its original owner. Fargason and Warren then became pen pals of a sort, and here we offer Fargason's side of the conversation. Fargason does not appear on the list of deceased Confederate prisoners at Johnson's Island, so it is likely he survived. Warren served, for a time, as hospital attendant at Frederick, MD until he returned to his regiment. A resident of Westborough, MA, he survived the war and returned to his hometown following his discharge.

Fargason's first letter discusses the return of the Bible to Warren, and explains how he came to have it: Johnson's Island. Dec 22nd 1863...It affords me great pleasure to enable to return to you your Testament. I have marked it some, in noting particular passages, in reading; it was done before I had any opportunity of returning it to you. I have carried it most of the time in my pocket, and being frequently exposed to drenching rain, it is a little soiled... It was with me at Harper's Ferry, when it was surrendered to our fources last year, at Sharpsburg, from thence to the Hospital at Winchester, thence to Staunton, where I obtained a Furloug, and visited my home in Alabama, thence back to the army in Virginia, it was with me in the battle of Chancellorsville, and then again at the hard contested battle of Gettysburg. There I was captured, and subsequently bought to this Prison...You write from the Hospital. Are you Sick or Wounded? To what Regiment, Brigade, and Corps do you belong?...

Fargason's January 10, 1864 letter is written in response to a letter from Warren, and he sends thanks for a Bible that Warren has sent him. He writes: I am 1st Lt of Company "D" 14th Ala Regt. My Regt is in Wilcox's Brigade, Anderson's Division, A.P. Hill's Corps. I do not know that I have ever seen any of your Regt... State to me if there are any Alabamians in your Hospital, and if any have died there...

His January 27, 1864 letter has ribbon affixed at the top left corner that was used to tie down a ring (not present) that he gifts to Warren. The last letter in the group sends additional personal information, and wishes Warren well upon hearing that Warren is to return to the front. He writes: My address is Mill Town, Ala. Should you be so unfortunate as to be captured write to my wife, and no doubt she will do what she can for you… A touching group showing the human side of the war.

Condition

All but the May 26 letter have a bit of dampstaining. With the usual mail folds and some wear, else VG.
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