EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBThree Letters Written by Johnson's Island POWs
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveOct 31, 2018
Cowan's is honored to present the Magnificent Sword Collection of William Koch in its two-day firearms, militaria, and American history auction. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (335)
- Lot Description
Three Letters Written by Johnson's Island POWs
Lot of 3 letters written by Confederate soldiers imprisoned on Johnson's Island, 1862-1864. Prisoners' letters were limited to one page in length, but each is rich with details about the activities of fellow inmates and the conditions of life on the island.
Chisolm, Lieutenant Benjamin F. (1844-1903). ALS, 1p, 4.75 x 8 in., " Johnson's Island, Ohio." August 3, 1864. Addressed to " Miss Kate ." Chisholm, of Woodville, MS, enlisted with the 16th Mississippi Infantry at the age of 16. He writes, " My room mates are making such a fuss, jumping & laughing & talking loud about the news from Gen. Lee that I can hardly write. I have been quite busy the last week working on my little garden, building a fence and making a gate. . . I have got tomato plants, radish, onions, beets & lettuce, all planted on that little place of about 20 feet square. "
Ferguson, Lieutenant William A. ALS, 1p, 7.75 x 10 in., " Johnson's Island Near Sandusky. " December 21, 1863. Addressed to his wife, Mrs. William A. Ferguson. Originally from Pickensville, AL, Ferguson was a member of Company D, 8th Confederate Regiment Cavalry (also known as the 2nd Regiment Alabama and Mississippi). He was captured at Shelbyville on June 27, 1863 and writes home with descriptions about life on Johnson's Island: " My health was never better although the cold pinches considerably. I have no fears but what I shall be fully able to stand it. The bay is frozen over & the Feds pass to & from the Island on the ice. Lts. Ball, Daso, & Gardner are well. Lt. Wier from Capt. Willet's Co. is here & well. Have you heard from my Company?".
Horne, Lieutenant T.M. ALS, 1p, 7.75 x 9.75 in., " Johnson's Island Sandusky Ohio. " June 30, 1862. Addressed to Mrs. Susan L. Taylor of Newport, KY. A member of Company A, 2nd Kentucky Infantry, the so-called "Orphan Brigade," Horne writes to Taylor listing the needs of several soldiers and describing the living conditions at the prison. Taylor operated a ministry that sent items to prisoners for distribution. He specifically highlights the " Sanitary condition of [the] prison ," noting " we have 29 cases in our hospital, some of whom are sick of typhoid fever, and others of less serious diseases. The rations issued to these persons are not at all suitable for sick men, and hence we raised a small hospital fund with which to supply their actual wants. . . If in your power to contribute something in the way of supplies for our hospital, I know it would be a balm to suffering humanity ." He ends positively, describing a newfound interest in handcrafts: " Like many others here, I have imbibed passion for the Fine Arts and. . . have whiled many wear hours in ring-making." Horne was exchanged later in 1862 but was wounded on December 7, 1862 in Hartsville, TN and died two days later.One strip of staining along the left edge of the Horne letter (as though kept in an album). Some toning and expected creasing to the Ferguson letter.Condition
- Shipping Info
-
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful Bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial. - If there is no shipping amount on listed your invoice, you will need to make arrangements to pick up or ship your purchase through an alternative shipping company. Our shipping department can be contacted at 513.871.1670 (ext. 219) or email shipping@cowans.com. - Shipping charges include insurance for your order while in transit. If you have private insurance we will adjust your charge to include only packing and shipping. - Please allow 14 – 21 days after payment to package and ship your purchase as carefully as possible.
-
- Buyer's Premium
