Lot 88
Mosby, John -- Autograph Letter Signed by the Former "Gray Ghost" (1833-1916) Confederate cavalry commander known as the "Gray Ghost"; after the war, Mosby became a Republican, worked as an attorney and supported his former enemy, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Autograph letter signed "Jno. S. Mosby" one page, 10 x 7½", on his "Attorney at Law" letterhead, Warrenton, Va., Sept. 8, 1874. To John S. Wise, Esq., in Richmond, Va., who was the son of Henry A. Wise (1806-76), former governor of Virginia (1856-60) and a general in the Civil War. Mosby writes, in part: "…I will do all in my power to forward your scheme. I wd. be delighed to see your father elected. The President [Grant] will return in a week. I will then see him & try to get his assistance. I wd. rather see Walker beaten than any man in the state & I will contribute all in my power to secure it. When is the Republican convention to be held?" After the war, Henry A. Wise also became a Republican and supported President Grant. Gilbert Carlton Walker (1833-85) was governor of Virginia from 1869-1874 and then elected to the House of Representatives in 1875, so if this is the job to which Henry A. Wise aspired, Mosby's help came to naught. Henry's son, John (1846-1913), however, served in the House from 1883-85. The letter has a few contemporary ink specks and smears but is boldly penned and signed. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope. Estimate Value $1,500 - UP
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| Realized $938 |
