Famed Confederate Map Maker, Albert Campbell, Archive

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American History: Live Salesroom Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 17, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017

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• Lot Description

  Lot of over 20 items related to Albert Campbell, including:

  A darkly stained walnut box, 13.5 x 5.5 x 3 in. containing a large drafting set, with dozens of pens, compasses, etc., a few with ivory handles. In bottom are a surveying (?) tool [brass with scale of degrees and bubble level on a heavy brass base, in its own velvet-lined case]; a small box of pen nibs; a pocket watch, Swiss made for the American market, .80 silver case, with hours and minutes displayed in windows on the face, numbered 283210 / 7 / 2; and a brass compass with barometer on other side, approx. 56mm diam., Keuffel & Esser Co., NY, marked “Made in England.” Although the drafting set is unidentified, the family relates that this was likely used by Campbell. 

  Two-stage spyglass, outer barrel wood, inner, brass. Both ends with sliding lens covers; length 14 in. open; 8.25 in. closed.

  Two sidearms: a Smith & Wesson .32 HE (hand ejector), 6-shot revolver with mother-of-pearl grips, S/N 74752. Patent date 1875 on barrel. Has a black leather holster with green felt lining. With seven bullets, .32 Colt; and Forehand & Wadsworth (later purchased by Hopkins & Allen) .38 caliber, 5-shot double-action revolver, gutta percha grips with F&W logo, S/N 9304. 

  2 vellum diplomas from Brown University, for Campbell (Albertus Henricum Campbell): September 1, 1847. 13.75 x 18.75 in.; September 4, 1850, 15.75 x 19.25 in.

  Campbell's appointment from the Department of the Interior appointing him to take charge of the wagon road construction (June 2, 1857).

  Letter of recommendation from Isaac Stevens for Campbell, Washington, DC, July 16, 1860.

  CSA Appointment as Post Office Clerk, Montgomery (AL), May 13, 1861.

  CSA appointment as Captain of Engineers, June 6, 1862.

  Special order assigning him as Chief of Topographic Department, June 8, 1862.

  Orders September 20, 1862 assigning Campbell as assistant to Lt. Colonel Stevens.

  CSA appointment as Major of Corps of Engineers, Oct. 28th 1864.

  A pair of glassine maps, the first titled "Preliminary Map of South Side of James River," 12.75 x 15 in.; the second, another part of the James River survey, mostly title and key, 12.5 x 13 in. Each credited lower right, "Chief Engineer's Office D.N.V. Capt. A.H. Campbell in chge. Topl. Dept." Although it appears that these may be original pen & ink maps, this cannot be confirmed. 

  Facsimile Reproduction made from the Original Confederate War Map owned by T. Sewell Ball, Publisher., Pikesville, Baltimore Co., Maryland. Map of the Vicinity of Richmond and Part of the Peninsula From Surveys Made Under the Direction of A.H. Campbell, Capt. P.E.C.S.A.  37.5 x 35 in. Folded into paper wraps. Letter from T. Sewell Ball dated March 14th 1892 tipped in to front cover presenting this copy of the map to Campbell.

  2nd letter from Mr. Ball dated April 14, 1892, and printed advertising flyer with the history of the map.

  Old plate from USPRR  Exp. & Surveys 35th Parallel volume, of “Rio Colorado Near the Mojave Villages” by A.H. Campbell,  with letter that it was found in an antique shop, and the sender thought the family might like to add it to their collection.

  January 27, 1875 letter from George Washington Custis Lee to Campbell, in which he states the is getting ready to leave Lexington, VA, and thanking him for his letter about the apple tree twig (See also Lot 35).
  
  Miscellaneous items include a Cavalry "coin" with “J.D. O’Neal, 2nd VA Cavalry  / 5 cents” on one side. Other side not quite readable; 3 empty envelopes, including one from Confederate War Department; and 5 (of 6 originally) small uncut garnets with letter of explanation.

  Confederate Map Maker Albert Henry Campbell Collection

  Lots 32-35

  Albert Henry Campbell (1826 – 1899) was born in Charleston, WV where he lived until he entered Brown University, Providence, RI in 1844. In Providence, he also met and married Mary Paine Stebbins in 1847. He studied civil engineering and was engaged in surveys for a number of railroads west. In 1857 he was appointed General Superintendent in charge of constructing wagon roads from Fort Kearny to the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern portion of California, and the road from Ft. Ridgely in Minnesota to South Pass.

  Campbell produced (among many other items) the wood engravings in the 32nd and 35th Parallel volumes (New Mexico and California) of the Pacific Railroad Reports. In his capacity as superintendent, he was supervisor to Frederick Lander when Lander mounted his expedition to capture the West in art. And while Campbell was an amateur artist in his own right, he did not accompany Lander on this expedition, but his brother, James, would go as a guide. 
  
  When the Civil War erupted, Campbell cast his lot with the Confederacy. He secured an appointment as Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, and was later promoted to Captain, then Major. He eventually would head the Topographical Department of the Army of Northern Virginia, and spent many hours with General R.E. Lee (who was himself a more than adequate topographer), becoming a personal friend of the General. He was with Lee the entire day during which he surrendered the ANV at Appomattox Court House, and broke the first twig from the legendary apple tree (See Lot 35) under which Lee rested before the signing of the surrender.
  
  During the war, Campbell was initially appointed Clerk in the CSA Post Office on May 15, 1861. In June 1862 he was promoted to Captain of Engineers and appointed Chief of the Topographic Department. In September 1862 Campbell was appointed assistant to Lt. Colonel W.H. Stevens, Corps of Engineers, CSA and promoted to Major a month later. 
  
  After the war, with a bit of hesitation (this was "enemy" territory now), he returned to Providence, RI and took up newspaper work for a short time. His father had founded the first newspaper in the Kanawha Valley, so it was not an unfamiliar endeavor. He then returned to Charleston and became an assistant engineer in surveying a number of rail lines, and was eventually promoted to Chief Engineer. He headed the surveys for the Potomac and Ohio line and the Baltimore, Cincinnati & Western Railroad, plus many other lines. He died at home in 1899.

  Provenance: Descended in the Family of Confederate Mapmaker Albert Campbell

  Condition

  Most in very good condition. The reproduction map has some water stains, but is still an interesting map. The drafting set appears to be complete and in good condition.

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• Shipping Info

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• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	28.00
    $250,001	23.00
    $3,000,001	15.00