PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA) - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 01/17/1856 - HFSID: 16525

PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA) - MANUSCRIPT LETTER - HFSID 16525

anuscript 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.…"

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MAJOR GENERAL FITZ JOHN PORTER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/22/1870 - HFSID: 72768

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. I have put the matter generally as if the letters were not to me - hence the reason I am generally spoken of in the 3rd person.…"

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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/30 - HFSID: 295784

Handwritten letter to former rival - now partner - Pawnee Bill Lillie - outlining plans for a California tour of their wild west show. "And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." Autograph Letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11. Saco, Maine, May 30 (circa 1908). On letterhead of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East to "Dear Major" [William Lillie]. In full: "The reason I would not sign up with Craft. They went back on the Contract they had Bacon draw and sent two of their own fixing. You see by the route of Sells Floto that they are playing all of the Country west of the Rockies and North West. And I think we should do it. I think the summer of the Great Panama Fair at San Francisco we could show all that Country. In the Spring three shows. San Francisco July, Aug. Sep. Then Southern Cal. Oct. And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." 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.

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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 4/7 - HFSID: 257558

Readying his TE Ranch and stating that his Wild West Show is "doing big". ALS: "Col" with "Cody" in text, 1p, 8¼x11¼. New York, no year April 7. With an original "Buffalo Bill's/Wild West" envelope addressed by Cody to: "Mattie & Eli Jer[?]/TE Ranch/Ishawood/Big Horn Co W[yoming]." Postmarked Owensboro, KY, May 10, 1901. In 1895, Cody began moving cattle to Wyoming. He received a large herd from his friend and hunting companion, Mike Russell. The herd wore the TE brand. Thus Cody named his ranch the TE Ranch. The TE was once rated at 4600 acres, but Cody added other ranches to it and the conglomerate was considered his Big Horn Basin Holdings. He was about 50 when he bought the TE and he considered it a haven from the world. To Mattie & Eli. In full: "The wild west show doing big. Now my dear good friends-the next two months you have got lots to do-hire plenty men-to get the crops in-plow lots of new ground-get in every acre you can-Make a good big garden-clean up all the deadwood in the timber pasturers (sic)-And plant grass seed among the trees-don't cut any green bushes or trees. Keep it for shelter-Make flower bed around house-Mrs Cody coming in July. She likes flowers. Keep things going fast.…"

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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/29/1911 - HFSID: 314417

The famous Wild West showman pens a hopeful letter to his friend, stating "New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season." The letter was written during the downfall of Cody's show empire due to outside expenses draining the immense profits from his show Autograph letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11 framed to an overall size of 25½x18½. Buffalo Bill's Wild West combined with Pawnee Bill's Great Far East. May 29, 1911. Portsmouth, [New Hampshire]. In full: "Dear Mayor Glad Light, Your letter which found me is fine health. We had two bad towns last week. Fitchburg & Newburyport. No one ever done business in either. The week hurt us at least $2000 in Lowell-sent your bank 5100 today to take up one of my notes. Been getting good deposits from the mines. Been getting in shape [illegible] or any one. I believe I'll walk a sale of the [illegible]. Note if good are doing. [illegible]. While I telegraph you for now we are all OK here-now. And barring accident we will be OK. New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season. Love to you". William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868.

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WILLIAM F. "BUFFALO BILL" CODY - ANNOTATED ALBUM LEAF SIGNED 04/20/1899 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID: 350584

WILLIAM F. BUFFALO BILL CODY - ANNOTATED ALBUM LEAF SIGNED 04/20/1899 CO-SIGNED - HFSID 350584

Signatures of Cody, Longstreet and other prominent Chicagoans of the era, collected on both sides of a 6x4 sheet in 1899. Signatures on both sides of a 6x4 sheet: "W.F. Cody / 'Buffalo Bill'", "Nate Salsbury", "John M. Burke /'Arizona John'", and "Allison Nailor, Jr.". Dated in unknown hand at left: "April 20, 1899." On verso: "Yours Truly/James Longstreet/July 15 '99" and "Ferdinand W. Peck". Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 40x20. William Frederick Cody 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.

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CIVIL WAR - UNION - SWORD UNSIGNED - HFSID: 286010

Sword, overall length 43½ inches, and scabbard. The sword, which has a steel blade, has a brass hilt and wire and leather wrapped grip. The scabbard is steel. Sword is marked on ricasso: "Ames Mfg. Co. Chicopee, Mass. US JH 1858". On April 14, 1858, Ames Manufacturing Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts received an order from the Ordnance Department for 800 "New Pattern" Light Cavalry sabres. All 800 of these sabres, including this one, were delivered in October 1858, making them the first one percent of the 81,300 Light Cavalry sabres that Ames would produce for the Ordnance Department during the Civil War. This is likely the sword of an enlisted man, as their swords were usually dated on the ricasso. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Army was divided into three components: the infantry, the artillery and the cavalry. In the early stages of the war, the cavalry supported the artillery and infantry by scouting, gathering intelligence and generally serving as the "eyes and ears" of the Army. As the war progressed, however, the cavalry took an increasingly offensive role, and by the end of the war the Union cavalry was recognized as fearsome offensive force. The light cavalry always fought mounted, using pistols and sabres, such as the one offered here.

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PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA) - AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT SIGNED CIRCA 1862 WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID: 258505

PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA) - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 258505

JEFFERSON DAVIS, JOHN H. WINDER and THOMAS J. GREENDavis signs an autograph endorsement forwarding to Confederate Secretary of War Benjamin a handwritten letter from Green, a former general in the army of independent Texas, warning that Confederate soldiers were carrying CSA weapons home with them. General Winder adds a handwritten note to the same document, ordering that guards be posted at depot and they confiscate these weapons.Civil War-date Autograph Endorsement signed: "Sec of War attention./J D", as President of the Confederate States of America in pencil in upper blank margin of letter to him. THOMAS J. GREEN. ALS: "Thos J Green", 1p, 7¼x9¼. Esmeralda near Warrenton North Carolina, 1862 March 17. To "HIS EXCL./JEFFERSON DAVIS/PRES. C.S.A.". In full, original spelling: "I feel it my duty to call your attention to what I believe is highly detrimental to the public service. From what I have seen every train going south from Virginia has then, either discharged, furlowed, sick, or pretendedly so, carrying with them side and fire arms belonging to the confederate government. Should you concur with me in the opinion that no arms should be brought from the seat of war under any pretext, you will apply the remedy in the right quarter.…"

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MAJOR GENERAL JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/23/1871 - HFSID: 285952

He signs a handwritten letter in 1871 responding to a bill for nautical equipment, complaining that some of it was faulty. ALS: "J L. Chamberlain", 2 pages, 5x8. Brunswick, Maine, 1871 September 23. To C.S. Donnelly, Esq. In part: "Your bill is received as requested, & is I believe correct. I don't know anything about the Notch Boom but suppose Capt. Stover got it. It never came to my yacht, but if it was got for me, I will be accountable for it…Also I may mention that I found the pump, when I came to set it, in two pieces, never having been properly soldered or brazed. & I had to pay $1.00 to have it done…But the pump was an imperfect one, & I would have returned it if I could have done so. Please inform me if I am at liberty to make deduction accordingly…." Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (1828-1914) commanded the 20th Maine in its famous defense of Little Round Top in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Chamberlain was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. At Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865, Brevet Major General Chamberlain was chosen to accept the Confederate surrender. He then ordered Union troops to present arms to their former enemy as a mark of respect.

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DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED - HFSID: 350459

The first female recipient of the United States Medal of Honor provides a collector her signature. Signature: "Mary E. Walker, M.D./A.A. Surgeon, U.S.A./in War of 1861-5./[three dashes]", 1p, 6¼x8½. Beneath the signature, the person who obtained the autograph has typed a description of Walker, who was "a spectator at the trial of Mrs. Melbar, who was being tried for the murder of her five year old son." The collector continues: "After I asked for the autograph, a photographer asked permission posing in front of the building for him. Under her name she put three little dashes and told me that the represented the red, white and blue." In 1865, President Andrew Johnson presented Dr. Mary Edwards Walker a Medal of Honor for her work with the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, Walker, an advocate of women's rights, temperance, and dress reform, became a controversial writer and lecturer. In 1917, at the height of the woman suffrage movement, a federal review board revoked the 85-year-old Walker's Medal of Honor, claiming she had never actually served in the Army. Walker refused to return the Medal, proudly wearing it until her death in 1919. In 1977, her Medal of Honor was restored by President Carter. Lightly creased. Fine condition.

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LT. GENERAL WADE HAMPTON III - COLLECTION WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID: 298275

LT. GENERAL WADE HAMPTON III - COLLECTION 11/30/1876 WITH LT. GENERAL JOHN - HFSID 298275

With the results of the US Presidential election, and also the South Carolina gubernatorial election, undecided, Democrats (and former Confederate generals) Governor-elect Hampton, US Senator Gordon, and campaign manager Haskell write to General Thomas Ruger, commander of US troops in the State, condemning his interference in the meeting of what they consider the lawfully elected legislature. The former secessionists invoke the US Constitution and the bicentennial of American independence in support of their cause! Collection includes: 1) Autograph Letter signed: "Wade Hampton", "J B Gordon", "A. C. Haskell", 4 pages, 8x12½. Columbia, South Carolina, 1876 November 30. To General T. H. Ruger, Commanding US Troops in South Carolina. In full: "We have just heard through Major McGinnis of your staff your orders communicated to Mr. Wallace, Speaker of the House of Representatives, that at 12 o'clock tomorrow no spectators would be allowed in the Hall and that the Members elect from Edgefield County would not be allowed upon the floor. To say that we are surprised at such an order after the explanations & pledges by you to each one of us, is to use very mild language.…"

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GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 12/12/1884 - HFSID: 350618

The former Civil War Union general accepts the invitation of Ohio Senator John Sherman to act as Marshal for the Ceremonies at the dedication of the Washington Monument. Manuscript LS: "P.H. Sheridan" as Lieutenant General, 1½p, 7½ x 9¾ lined sheet, front and verso (hinged to show both sides of letter). Washington, D.C., 1884 December 12. On letterhead of Headquarters, Army of the United States to Hon. John Sherman, U.S. Senate. Begins: "My dear Sir". In full: "I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 11th. communicating the resolution unanimously adopted by the Commission, inviting me to 'act as Marshal on the day of the ceremonies, to arrange the details of the procession and assign to the different organizations their places in the line.' Accepting with pleasure the duty thus assigned me, I beg that you will convey to the commission my high appreciation of the distinguished honor conferred upon me.…"

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FRANK JAMES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/12/1884 - HFSID: 350450

Extremely rare autograph letter written by Western outlaw Frank James to his wife and son from an Alabama jail (1884), discussing the hardships of imprisonment, his feelings of betrayal by "my pretended friends", and family attendance at his coming trial. Contained in a 9x14½ brown leather folio with a b/w photo of James. Autograph and signed material by James is extremely rare and highly desirable! Rare autograph letter signed "Frank James". 2 pages, 8½x14, 1 sheet, front and verso, ruled paper. Comes in a 9x14½ (27x28¼ unfolded) brown leather folio with a 5¼x6¼ b/w photo of James and a Charles Hamilton letter of authentication. Dated: Mar. 12, 1884. James wrote this letter to his wife and son after surrendering and awaiting trial for bank robbery. "My Dear Wife and Robert... I am truly in hope I may not be ill any more while in jail at least... the only money I spend is for stamps and tobacco... As I write it rains and the heavy peals of thunder and vivid flashes of lightning very nearly raises me out of my chair... I have scarcely any fire and think I will let it die... I am waiting very impatiently for Mr. Cooper to come from the post office.…"

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Civil War | Poems

MAJOR SAMUEL HAWKINS MARSHALL "MARSH" BYERS - AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED 3/1886 - HFSID 142779

The famous poem of the Civil War soldier which he wrote while in Libby Prison is partially written on this card with a letter on the reverse, dated 1886. The poem, "Sherman's March to the Sea" was commended by General Sherman, who later gave Byers a place on his staff. Extremely rare!

Sale Price $2,337.50

$2,750.00
CAPTAIN JACK "THE POET SCOUT" CRAWFORD - AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED 03/07/1914 - HFSID 174450

He pens this poem dated in 1914, adding his signature Autograph Poem Signed: "J.W. Crawford/'(Capt Jack)'", 1p, 5x7½. Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1914 March 7. Headed: "Greeting:".

Sale Price $595.00

$700.00
CAPTAIN JACK "THE POET SCOUT" CRAWFORD - INSCRIBED AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED - HFSID 262724

He pens this poem in black ink to an admirer Autograph Poem inscribed and signed: "Yours Truly/J.W. Crawford/Capt Jack" in pencil, 1p, 5¼x8. Headed: "Acrostical/To Mary". In full: "May angels bless thee Mary,/And keep you in their Care.…"

Sale Price $450.00

$500.00
JAMES M. DALZELL - AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED - HFSID 276889

A Union veteran's poem rejects the idea of honoring Union and Confederate soldiers together. Autograph Poem signed twice: "James M. Dalzell/Private Dalzell" at end, 3p, 6½x8¾. Accompanied by Autograph Note signed: "James M.…"

Sale Price $765.00

$900.00
JAMES M. DALZELL - AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED 07/04/1920 - HFSID 44099

Autograph Poem signed: "J.M. Dalzell" at end and "Private Dalzell" in heading, 2p, 8x10¾, separate sheets. Headed: "The Blue and The Gray, 1867./By Private Dalzell./Music by G.F. Root./Copied in my own hand July 4, 1920 at 82." In full: "II.…"

Sale Price $1,530.00

$1,800.00
MAJOR GENERAL FITZ JOHN PORTER - AUTOGRAPH POEM SIGNED 02/14/1886 - HFSID 28027

Autograph Poem signed: "Fitz John Porter", 2p, 4¼x3½ card. Morristown, N.J., 1886 February 14. In full: "'Give him a lift! Don't kneel in prayer/Nor moralize with its despair./The man is down and his great need/is ready help, not prayer and creed.…"

Sale Price $467.50

$550.00