Lot 341
Shields, James (1806-1879) American politician and U.S. Army Civil War General. In 1842 Shields, while the Illinois State Auditor, almost fought a duel with Abraham Lincoln due to an inflammatory letter Lincoln had published in a Springfield, Illinois, newspaper. Letter signed ("Jas. Shields / Brig. Genl."), 3 pages, recto & verso, bifolium, 10 x 7½ in., Strasburg, Virginia, April 8, 1862. To Major Genl. N. [Nathaniel] P. Banks (1816-1894). The General comments on the loyalty of a local man and then considers how the Union army should act as a political force among the people of Virginia by outlining some general rules to be followed by Banks for the occupation of Virginia.
In part: "…he called upon me with documents testifying to his loyalty…There is something under this that looks to me like a local feud…The government as you know has released all held captive for their political opinions. This measure is very distasteful to those behind who aided in their arrest. This too is natural…we have come to destroy your armies and overthrow your government but not to interfere with your people if they do not interfere with us…whenever a Union man was expelled from his house or kept away from his home or threatened by his neighbors to arrest such persons…with regard to the prisoners in [Stonewall] Jacksons hands captured for Union sentiments…let them know that I would recommend reprisals…I have taken the liberty of going more at length into this matter because I feel that now as Head of this Dept a very delicate duty will devolve upon you, and one from which I beg leave…1st …security to be given to loyal citizens in all parts of your dept. without instituting enquiries or promoting recriminations, amongst neighbors fot the past/ 2nd Full security…to all who will pursue their usual avocations / 3rd…noninterference of military power with the courts of justice…civil functionaries until required by the constituted authorities…/ 4th…recovery of the captives for opinion taken in the hands of Jackson. / 5 The course to be pursed with regard to negros who go between our lines and are claimed by their masters…The rules I think ought to be general…"Age toned. Vertical & horizontal folds. Minor mounting remnants on last page.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
|
| |
| Realized $180 |
