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.

Seven weeks after surrendering Fort Sumter, Colonel Robert Anderson writes to General Lorenzo Thomas about a recent meeting with President Lincoln's lifelong friend Joshua Speed. Important ALS: "Robert Anderson/Col. USA", 1p, 7¾x9¾. Cincinnati, Ohio, 1861 June 4. To General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant General USA, Washington, D.C. In full: "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Genl Orders (Adjt Genls Office) No 25.6&7 and G.O. No. 7 Hd Qrs of the Army, and also of a letter from the Hon. J.K. Moorehead to the Hon. Secy of War, with enclosures, referring to certain parties in Louisville Ky reported to be engaged in furnishing or forwarding, Revolvers, Tents, Knapsacks &c to the rebels, Mr. Joshua Speed, a firm Union Man and a man of sound judgement, to whom I showed these papers, advises that no steps be now taken in this matter-greater harm than benefit to the cause would result from it. A letter from Surgeon Wright USA. the Senior Medical Office in this Dept. is, herewith, forwarded. I am satisfied that the opinion he gives, confirming the views of the Physicians who advised with me before I left N.Y. is correct. Fortunately, my absence from Ky.…"

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).

Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant Signs 1865 Document for Galena Monument Association as National Hero. Printed DS: "U.S. Grant" as President of the Soldiers Monument Association, 1p, 14x17. Galena, Ill., 1865 August 28. Not filled in. In full: "This Certifies that [blank] Is hereby Constituted a Member of the Jo Daviess Soldiers' Monument Association." Vignette of Lincoln at top center and five other smaller vignettes. Engraved by the Continental Bank Note Co., New York. At the time the Civil War broke out, former soldier Ulysses S. Grant was working in his father's hardware store in Galena, Illinois. Four years later, Lieutenant General Grant was the hero of Galena and of the Civil War, which ended on April 9, 1865. The citizens of Galena purchased a furnished home in town and presented it to Grant. He signed its deed on August 18, 1865. Other honors were heaped upon the General, including the honorary presidency of the Jo Daviess Soldiers' Monument Association, for which he signed this membership certificate (according to his memoirs) on August 28, 1865. Galena is located on the Mississippi River in Jo Daviess County, named for the Daniel Boone-like figure of Col. JOSEPH H.

2½x4 carte de visite, seated in uniform Photograph signed: "D. G. Farragut". Sepia, 2½x4 carte de visite by J. Gurney & Son of New York. David G. Farragut (1801-1870, born James Glasgow), adopted by Admiral David Porter in 1814, served more than fifty years in the U.S. Navy. Commissioned at age 10, he participated in the War of 1812 (1812-1814), the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the Civil War (1961-1965). In 1864, two years after Farragut, as Commander of the West Gulf Blocking Squadron, captured New Orleans (April 25, 1862), Rear Admiral Farragut was assigned to capture the defenses of Mobile Bay. He began his approach on August 5, 1864. It was during this Battle of Mobile Bay, as Farragut's ships entered the heavily guarded bay that filled with mines, then known as torpedoes, that Farragut exclaimed: "Damn the torpedoes!...Full speed ahead!" In 1866, when Admiral was established as the highest naval rank, Farragut became the first officer to receive that honor. Slightly worn at edges. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). Otherwise, fine condition.

6¾x9 black and white photograph mount with an exceptional quality image of the western icon, signed "W.F Cody, 'Buffalo Bill'" Inscribed Photograph Mount signed: "W.F Cody,/"Buffalo Bill"/To- W.S. Metz", B/w 6½x8 image, 6¾x9 overall. Photographer imprint at lower mount reading: "Prince/Parisian Panel/31 Union Square. New York/Penna Ave. & 11th St. Washington D.C." William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868. Cody had begun his Wild West career herding cattle at age nine. Five years later, he became the Pony Express' youngest rider. Throughout the Civil War, Cody worked as a government scout, extracting from life and the West all it had to offer. His western notoriety grew with his adventures, including those during the Sioux War, in which he purportedly fought a duel with Chief Yellow Hand. Cody's theatrical career was launched that same year with his re-enactments of such Indian battles. By 1883, he formed his first Wild West spectacle, becoming a master showman who toured internationally until 1903.

From the President to the son of Buchanan's Postmaster General: He cannot attend a meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. Manuscript LS: "Benj Harrison" as President, 1p, 7½x10. Executive Mansion, Washington, 1892 May 21. To Hon. Horatio C. King, Brooklyn, N.Y. In full: "I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 19th in which you extend to me a cordial invitation to attend the annual meeting of the Society of the Army of the Potomac to be held at Scranton June 15th and 16th. I fear that it will not be possible for me to accept this invitation, and assure you that I regret that it is so." KING, son of Buchanan's Postmaster General, was Judge Advocate General of New York. In the Civil War, he served with the Army of the Potomac and Shenandoah from 1862-1865. Harrison was Colonel in the 70th Indiana Regiment in the Civil War. Just 2½ weeks after this letter, President Harrison was renominated on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis June 7-10, 1892. Tanned, lined page. Lightly creased. Vertical fold touches the "a" in Harrison. Fine condition.

Comprises: (1) Autograph Letter Signed: "your affectionate Brother", 3½ pages, 7 5/8 by 9¾. Camp Newbern, N.C., February 16, 1863. Normal folds. Slightly worn at folds on first page, else fine. To his brother, Joseph Wensel, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pa., who Americanized the family name. Henry has written his letter with a German accent. Spelling not corrected. In part: "I in form you that I Received your letter on the 13th day of february and 25 cents in money and 4 postage Stamps and I was very glad to hear from you and the old folks and I was very much obliged for the money and Stamps...I wish you whould fetch my two Saws too over to your house and keep them in your Care till Come home and if you want to youth [use] them why youth them till I Call for them and if I never Come home no more why you may keep them and pay to my Wife what you think is Ride [right] are what you think they are worth you may keep them for keeping in Repair as long as I am in Service...…"

Court-martialed after Second Bull Run, the Union officer defends his actions to Robert E. Lee's biographer and tells of his long friendship with the Confederate General. Important ALS: "F.J. Porter", 3¼ p, New York, 1870 January 22. To General Robert E. Lee's former Aide-de-Camp, Colonel Charles Marshall, who at the time was in the midst of writing an autobiography of his experiences with the General: An Aide-De-Camp of Lee, Being The Papers of Colonel Charles Marshall. Marshall corresponded with many of Lee's subordinates in an effort to collect their correspondences with Lee for reference and publication in the book. Porter had known Lee since his boyhood and was "close to him" in the Mexican War and "at West Point, where for a time I [Porter] was his adjt". General Lee died just nine months after this letter. Porter writes, in full: "I have yours- and thank you. The opinions quoted in my 'data' are all from original letters - I had Genl Lee's written permission to use his letters, whenever I deemed it necessary - I withheld on account of delicacy to him, and to prevent his name, during life, being banded about by Radical hounds.…"

Eloquently demands protection of the Red Cross symbol. Manuscript Signed: "Clara Barton" circa 1893, three typed pages, 8 x 10½. American Association of the Red Cross President Barton issues a call for a meeting of the Official Advisory Board to consider the protection of the Red Cross Insignia. Her fight had begun shortly after the First Geneva Convention attended by governments from around the world in 1864. Barton fought for the U.S. Congress to ratify the Convention but fearing foreign entanglements the government would not ratify and acknowledge the Convention until 18 years later. After the chartering of the society in 1882, the charitable and international neutral symbol was also used for everything from snake oils, cigars, alcoholic beverages and later, her fiercest adversary, the burgeoning conglomerate Johnson & Johnson Company. This overwhelming misuse and lack of congressional action led Barton to call the first meeting of the association's Board in 1893. Ultimately, the Red Cross would receive limited protection with the organization's official chartering in 1900. Barton's manuscript, in part: "...…"

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.…"