MARY SURRATT'S HAIR Historic Hair Strands from Mary Surratt, The Lincoln Assassination Conspirator. Illustrations on front and verso of the card include: an "Image of Mary Surratt taken from a contemporary CDV owned by Samuel Curtis"; a copy of an entry from the original diary kept by Samuel Curtis, referencing the hair (the entry originally accompanied the hair but cannot be read from this page); and a reproduction of the envelope that contained the hair, bearing the writing of Curtis. Surratt's execution on July 7, 1865 is also depicted in two reproduced photographs, taken both before and after the hanging. There are also reproductions from other Curtis entries: April 9, 1865, mentioning Lee's surrender; April 15, referring to Lincoln being shot; and April 20, "the boys went to the city of Washington to see the remains of our late President Lincoln." All of the above are reproduced on the front and verso of the page showing the hair. Curtis was a member of the 8th Regiment that was present at the execution of four conspirators in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at the Old Penitentiary in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Mary Surratt, who kept the boarding house where John Wilkes Booth devised his assassination plot, was among those hanged. She is reported to have been the first to die.

Note handwritten as a lieutenant in the US Army, on duty at Fort Riley, Kansas Territory, signed in the text and accompanied by the original $3 bank note Stewart enclosed with it. Third Person Autograph Note, 1 page, 8x5. In full: "Be sure to direct $6 Lieut. J. E. B. Stuart Fort Riley K. T. P. S. I enclose also $3 more for which please send the Congressional Globe & appendix t P. L. Taylor, Fort Riley K. T. [Kansas Territory]." Accompanied by the $3 demand note, issued by the Phoenix Bank of Hartford, which Stewart forwarded with this letter. James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart (1833-1864), called Jeb by his friends and by history, graduated from West Point in 1854, serving on the Western frontier. He participated in the capture of John Brown at Harper's Ferry. When he signed this note, Stewart was serving as Quartermaster of the 1st Cavalry, stationed at Fort Riley in the Kansas Territory. "Bleeding Kansas" was aflame with pro- and anti-slavery forces, seeking to determine by which system the Territory would enter the Union. Stewart, already a veteran of skirmishes with the Plains Indians, was helping to preserve order in the divided land. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1858, and to captain shortly before he resigned from the US Army to join the Confederacy in May 1861.

Rare handwritten letter to his friend Charles Fletcher, smuggled out of the jail by his wife, signed by him in 1883 while he awaited trial for robbery and murder Rare ALS: "Frank" with "Direct to Mrs. Frank James" to left of signature, 1 page, 7¾x10½. In Jail at Gallatin, Missouri, 1883 April 7. To his friend, Charles Fletcher. In part: "I should of written you before this but all my mail had to be inspected by the Sheriff. But as my wife is now with me and can smuggle this through the linens and she can receive letters…hence this letter. I am getting on as well as one could suppose in Jail…You have so proved yourself, I hope you will be so situated as to be able to attend my trial in June. I am expecting to be acquitted if justice prevails I will be undoubtedly. My wife sends kindest regards to you and family. Hoping to hear from you soon…." Frank and Jesse James had been Confederate guerrillas under the leadership of William Quantrill during the Civil War. They joined Cole Younger and others in 1866 and formed a gang of which Jesse was usually regarded as the leader. At first, they specialized in bank robberies, but in 1873 they held up a train.

A two page ledger documenting the work of strengthening walls and armaments, dated 1843 Manuscript document signed: "R E Lee/Capt Engrs", 1p, 23x8¾. Fort Hamilton, New York, 1843 October 24. In full: "I certify that the above Report is correct & that the cash account there in included is correctly stated." Lee was sent to Fort Hamilton in New York harbor as a Captain of the Army Corps of Engineers in 1842. He was charged with improving and fortifying the defenses and shipping yards at this crucial Northern port. This document is a two-page ledger (front and verso) that documents the work for strengthening the walls and armaments on those walls for work up to September 30, 1843. Lee not only managed the project but, he was the dispersing agent for the moneys outlaid for the project. The scope of work is divided into two physical locations, the Fort itself and the Redoubt, which is the barrier surrounded by a parapet (a protective screen to protect troops from frontal assault) that is dominated by guns and heavy fortifications behind it. The following construction was executed on these locations: Masonry, Carpentry, Smithery, Stone Cutting. The cost of these efforts in both materials and labor are documented in both dollars and cents per effort.

As a Lt. Colonel in the US Army (1849), Bragg signs an autograph letter commending in vivid detail an artillery sergeant who fought with him at Buena Vista in the Mexican War, a battle that forged an enduring connection between Bragg and Jefferson Davis. Autograph Letter signed: "Braxton Bragg/Lt. Col. U S Army", 1 page, 8x6¼. Baltimore, 1849 September 19. No addressee, probably a general letter of recommendation for Love. In full: "Sergeant Love was joined to my company at Monterey in Mexico. In the assault on that town he displayed Courage activity and presence of mind I had every reason to be satisfied with his conduct. In the great Battle at 'Buena Vista' he commanded a gun in my battery and in the darkest hour of that eventful conflict his cheerfulness and contempt for danger infused a spirit in the men which was highly beneficial and conductive to the fortunes of the day. Sergt. Love deserves well of his country for his gallantry long services and good conduct." Braxton Bragg (1817-1876) graduated from West point in 1837 and served with distinction in the Mexican War, as a captain at the Battle of Monterey and major at the Battle of Buena Vista (the battles he references in this letter).

The future Confederate President writes to a future Confederate officer about the staffing of the armory at Harper's Ferry, which was raid just three years later by John Brown. Manuscript LS: "Jeffn Davis" as Secretary of War, 2p, 7½x9¼ front and verso. War Department, (Washington), 1856 January 17. TO HON. C. J. FAULKNER. In full: "I find an unexpected delay has occurred in the completion of the new models; but have assurance that they will be finished this week, so as to be ready for inspection at the beginning of next week when those designed for Harper's Ferry will be sent thither after which we shall be able to resume full work at that Armory. That class of community who have been for a time suspended from employment will I hope then be relieved from this embarrassment to which you have called my attention. As to the number of clerks required at Harper's Ferry, I have made some further enquiry, and learned that in answer to questions propounded by the Superintendent, it is understood the three clerks now employed, replied that they believed themselves able to do all the duty which would devolve upon them in consequence of the reduction in the number of clerks, made by order of this Department.…"

Pierre G. T. Beauregard signs a war dated manuscript letter of thanks for forwarding the letter from his wife. War-dated Manuscript Letter Signed: "G.T. Beauregard", 1p, 8x7¼ lined sheet. Charleston, South Carolina, 1863 September 16. On letterhead of Headquarters, Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida to "Dear Sir". In full: "I have received the letter from Mrs. B[eauregard] you have been kind enough to send me; please return my sincere thanks to the parties connected with it's (sic) transmission. Hoping that before very long our troubles will be at an end, & that I shall be able to acknowledge personally this favor. I remain Yours very truly & resply". At the time of this letter, Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893) was Commander of the Confederacy's Military Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (1862-1864) and was defending Charleston from attacks by the Union Army and Navy. Beauregard, who had shortened his name to G.T. Beauregard while a student at West Point, had been named a Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army on March 1, 1861 and just a month later, on April 12, 1861, gave the order for Confederate troops to fire on Ft.