Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 38

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

U.S. Civil War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 467		1866 Letter From An Ex-Confederate Soldier. Letter from F.M. C. Newton to Col. W.B. Blair, datelined San Antonio, Texas, 29 Oct. 1866, 3¼ pp, 10x8½". Fine. The writer, who refers to himself as an "Ex Confed" states that life has not been good since "the break up" [end of the war] He reports on a cholera epidemic, looking after a property for Blair, and his efforts to make enough money to support his family. "…I came home after the break up flat broke…I am…hoping for better times…but…as an Ex Confed I do not know …what I may be permitted to do…" Original envelope is present.-. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 468		Howard, Oliver Otis. Accompanied by a steel engraving, and a photograph of the General. 1830-1909. Union Major-General. Autograph Letter Signed ("Oliver O. Howard") as Maj-General U.S. Army, 1 p., octavo,on imprinted US Army letterhead, Headquarters Division of the Pacific, San Francisco Presidio, August 23, 1886. To Mrs. E.F. Strickland, in part: " …I have a favorite direction which I aim at, as my marksmen do at their target stationed at long ranges, it is 'not to let the day pass without making somebody [ 's happiness ? ] because I am living in this world." Very Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $115
Lot 469		Sherman, William Tecumseh. Matted and framed with a steel engraving of General Sherman, and an inscribed plaque. (1820-1891). Union general. Autograph Letter Signed ("W.T. Sherman"), 3 pp, octavo, Sandy Hook, November 11, 1866. To Union General Nathaniel P. Banks (1816-1894) of Boston. Lengthy letter written while aboard a U.S. military ship, off Sandy Hook, on his way to Mexico, where Sherman had been dispatched on a diplomatic mission. " …Mr Campbell the Minister has with him a very competent Secretary.who will keep him fully advised of all matters touching the Interests of Mexico …We have a noble ship and I hope we shall soon be in Vera Cruz, ready to open communication with a stable Republican Government in our poor neighbor Mexico, able to point to the example of our own Great Country …" Fine. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $345
Lot 470		Diaries and Personal Effects Of A Member of Wilder's Lightning Brigade. A collection of items belonging to John O. Brown of Charleston, Illinois, who was mustered into Co. A, 123 Illinois Infantry Volunteers on 1 Aug. 1862. This collection includes three diaries, Brown's company tag, his discharge (28 June 1865), two tintypes of Brown in civilian clothes (one 1/9th and one 1/6th plate), and two pairs of spectacles used by Brown. The tag is engraved on one side: "J.O.B. / Co.A / 123 Ill."; the other side has military paraphernalia in the center, surrounded by "Wilder's Lightning Brigade 1861-65." The 123rd Ill. took part in the Battle of Perryville, the Tullahoma Campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga, the Atlanta Campaign, the Battle of Resaca, the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and Wilson's Raid to Selma. Upon the outbreak of the war, Brown volunteered for three months. The first diary is 5¾x5½", and has 81 pages (some loose). It is written in ink and pencil and describes the three months from 20 Apr.-26 July 1861, mostly routine drilling and a visit by Gen. McClellan and his staff. The other two diaries report constant marching and fighting--some of the best, most consistent battle content we have seen in Civil War diaries. The 100-page second diary covers 15 Aug 1862-17 Oct. 1863 and is 4½x3". Brown describes a battle (Perryville) beginning 7 Oct '62: "We suffered…for water…the next morning before 10 oclock our water were gone and none could be found…we had but 100 men that could be accounted for and both of our Genl. killed…." He describes constant marching, often 12-15 miles a day, through numerous central Tenn. towns, capturing prisoners and tobacco, and skirmishes with rebel troops, one of which (20 Mar.) left 300 Confederate and 50 Union troops dead. On 21 Apr. '63 he describes destroying much of the railroad between Tullahoma and McMinnville, taking a train and 150 prisoners and burning the depot. On 30 Apr. "Our Regt held a vote whether they should be mounted or not--they voted for horses." 10 May "We…moved into Col. Wilders brigade…we are now in the 1st brigade 5th division commanded by Rennols 14th midle army corps commanded Thomas." 1 June: "Our Regt drew new Spencer rifels." He gives a vivid, detailed description of his regiment's part in the Tullahoma Campaign (23 June-29 Aug), including taking Hoover's Gap, then describes crossing the Georgia line (10 Sept.) and an encounter with Forest's cavalry, which was burning bridges. When Col. Wilder found himself surrounded on three sides, "he …sent artillery drums and men to the rear and made all signs of going into camp," then "took his command out of the gap they had left…and…joined Crittendon's Corps." From 18-20 Sept., the brigade took part in the battle of Chickamauga, then constantly marched and skirmished through 17 Oct., when the diary ends. The third diary is 5¾x3½", 86 pp, and covers 22 Dec. 1863- 18 July 1865. Brown describes marching to Pulaski, Huntsville, Fayetteville, Lewisburg, and Columbia, then starting for the front (Atlanta Campaign) on 30 Apr. On 18 May '64 they left Rome (Ga.) toward Kingston and cut the railroad. On 10 June: "Col. Wilder left us today…being unable to command" and on 15 June, "we moved…near…the Kennessaw mountain." He describes constant fighting and mentions Gen. Hooker, Big Shanty and Marietta, then on 18 July orders to go to Stone Mountain and Covington to destroy the railroad; Maj. Gen. McPherson was killed in a fight. On 1 Aug."our Div. moved in front of Atlanta…" On 20 Nov. "We were put in the first brigade commanded by Brig Gen Miller from the 72nd Ind. Gen Long also took command of the Division." The division took part in Wilson's raid to Selma (22 Mar.-20 Apr. '65). 31 Mar: "Our Regt was detailed to …destroy the RR running to Selma" 1st Apr. "…Capt. Tailer of 17th Ind…attacked Gen. Forest and staff…who he wounded twice with his sabre…" 2 Apr: "…at 4½ oclock our lines were ordered to make the charge. the air was soon full of shot - shells minnie balls and buck shot…the picketing…was 10 feet high…but through we went and our old flag was soon seen waving…with a Wilder cheer we followed…2,500 prisoners 150 Guns of all kinds, large foundries arsenals and CS stores…fell into our hands. Our Div. was 25 percent of men and 50 percent of officers killed and wounded. Gen Long our Division commander was wounded…" He reports Lee's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, and on 13 May: "Had the gratification of seeing the once called President of the Confederacy…" Affixed in the diary is a copy of General Orders No. 15, datelined Macon, Ga., 23 Apr. 1865 from Brig. Gen. Eli Long, saying goodby to the "Officers and Soldiers of the Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi," thanking them for their actions at Selma and for administering to Gen. Forrest "one of the most complete and severe castigations received by any command during this war…it was…the decisive fight of the campaign…". Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,485
Lot 471		Ericsson, John (1803-89) Swedish-born engineer who invented the ship propeller and designed the Union ironclad ship "Monitor" that defeated the Confederate ironclad "Merrimac" at Hampton Roads in March 1862. Autograph Letter Signed ("J. Ericsson"), 3pp, 9¾x7¾", n.p., 22 Oct. 1860. Fine; professional fold repairs. A detailed, technical letter to an unidentified correspondent regarding Ericsson's plan for a "caloric" engine for naval use. In part: "I will attend to the wheetwright matter….The fact that the engines run away with the work, not withstanding the small suction, is all sufficient. The leak of the brass lining will take up of itself….Pray tell your men to send the braces to a blacksmith to put in a stout rod in the middle pull an inch in diameter. The rods are good and strong enough….The 4380 gallons pumped up in 104 minutes by both engines proves each to have run at the rate of 21 gallons per minute….Your pumps are big enough to do the work if the pips are tight….I will send our drawings of bell cranks….The caloric…vessel will be launched Wednesday & the engines are nearly ready…." Much more content. In 1851 Ericsson built the Caloric Ship Ericsson, a 260 foot paddle ship powered by a four cylinder caloric engine, but it was not a success. After new improvements, patented by Ericsson between 1855 and 1858, he built a new, improved Caloric Engine--an open cycle machine using a power piston and a supply piston, fitted with valves, which was an immediate success; over 3000 were sold in three years. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 472		Lee, Robert E (1807-70) Legendary Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate armies; considerred one of the greatest generals in military history. Autograph Letter Signed ("R E Lee"), 1 p, 8x5", Arlington, 23 May 1859. Fine. Written five months before he was sent to Harper's Ferry to suppress John Brown's raid, to Major P.V. Hagner regarding the design of a bridle and saddle: "I thought Housings had been adopted by the Board. I knew I voted against it. If not adopted, I do not wish any. I will have the hasp plates in the bit as you suggest [here he draws a design]. The 2 enveloped by the C. different from that of the men. The pommel pouches must have covers of course to secure their contents. I wish them light & seemly…." Major Hagner became a brevet brigadier general after the war. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 473		Sickles, Daniel E (1819-1914) Union general; commander of New York's Excelsior Brigade; promoted to Brigadier General USV on 3 Sept. 1861 and to Major General 29 Nov. 1862; Medal of Honor winner. Endorsement Signed ("D E Sickles") as Major General, approving a list of officers and enlisted men recommended for promotion by Lt. Col Thomas Holt, Headquarters 1st Excelsior Regiment, Camp near Falmouth, 28 May 1863, 9¾x7¾", Fine. Accompanied by a period envelope addressed to CSA VP "Hon. Alexander H. Stephens," in Crawfordville, Ga., with a "Rome, GA / SEP 7" (New York) postmark and 3¢ postage, in a 6½x8½" frame. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $228
Lot 474		Sumner, Charles (1811-74) American politician and statesman from Massachusettss. He was severely beaten in 1856 by South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks on the floor of the U. S. Senate after Sumner delivered an anti-slavery diatribe; Sumner was unable to attend the Senate for three years because of his injuries. Autograph Letter Signed, 4pp, 8x5¼", Aix-les-Bains-en Savoie, 11 Sept. '58. Addressed to "Mr. F." while in France undergoing treatments for his injuries. In part: "…the more I think of slavery the more I hate it, & the more I see how it has debased the govt. of our courtry. I long for health to declare this hate…I think that the people of the North will learn the dignity & glory of the course which is committed to them…." Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240
Lot 475		U. S. Surgeon General Clement A. Finley (1797-1862) Finley received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1818 and joined the U.S. Army as a surgeon's mate. He served under Gen. Winfield Scott in the Black Hawk War of 1833, in the Seminole War (1834-38) and was part of the invading force against Mexico in 1846, becoming medical director of the Army under Gen. Zachary Taylor. At the age of 64, he was appointed by President Lincoln to the office of Surgeon General, where he served from May 15, 1861 to April 14, 1862, when he was forced to retire after a heated run-in with Secretary of War Stanton. He received the brevet rank of Brigadier General in 1879 for his long, meritorious service in the Army. Offered here are three documents that belonged to Finley: (1) His very attractive 1818 diploma as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, 20¾x25", with 14" embossed blue silk ribbon, signed by twelve professors, matted to 24x27" (2) his 1833 diploma from the Therapeutic Institute of Materia Medica Botany &Toxicology in Philadelphia, with a printed acorn "emblem" type seal and red wax paper seal, 9½x12¼", matted to 18x20½"; and (3) his 1856 membership certificate for the American Philosophical Society, an invitation-only intellectual society founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, 9½x14½", matted to 18x22½". All very fine. Estimated Value $800 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $776
Lot 476		Welles, Gideon (1802-78) Union Secretary of the Navy. Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of the Navy (Washington), October 4, 1862. 1½ pp quarto. Addressed to Major Wm. B. Slack, Quartermaster Marine Corps, regarding a contractor with rebel proclivities. Light toning. Very Fine. In full: Sir: The Secretary of the Treasury has enclosed to this Department a letter from the Collector at Baltimore, stating that Wm. War, contractor for furnishing rations at Norfold, 'is represented to be one of the most outspoken rebel proclivities. If not himself a rebel sympathizer he at least persistently refuses to subscribe the oath required by your regulations and places his refusal so to do, to the Surveyor, upon the distinct grouund that he has sons in the Rebel Confederacy and is unwilling to take an oath or do any act which would preclude his extending to them aid and assistance.' Your attention is called to the matter." Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 477		Wells, Gideon. Manuscript Letter Signed ("G. Welles") as Secretary of the Navy, on Navy Department letterhead, Washington, June 16, 1865. To Edward F. Davison, Consul, Argentine Republic, New York, informing him that the resignation of Acting Honorary Ensign William Brown of the U.S. Navy "has this day been accepted, agreeably to your request…and has been delivered to him." Very Fine. Matted with an image of Welles and framed to an overall size of 15 x 19 in. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $173