382. Abner D o u b l e d a y.
Ink signature, “A. Doubleday, Major General,” on an off-white 3.25 x 2 card. In fine condition, with slight overall rippling. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
3 8 3 . Wa d e Hampton. Con-
federate military officer and politician (1818–1902) who replaced J. E. B. Stuart as Lee’s Chief of Cavalry following Stuart’s death on the battlefield. Hampton later served as governor and senator from South Carolina. Bold ink signature on an off-white 3.25 x 2 card. In very good condition, with scattered light toning and rubbing, the top left corner clipped, an adhesive remnant along the right edge, and ink and pencil notations in another hand. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
Fascinating roster of army tradesmen: “This man is uncommonly ingenious”
385. William Gates. Manuscript DS, signed “Wm. Gates, Capt.
Duty,” one page, 21.5 x 12, no date but circa mid-1810s. Roster of soldiers skilled in trade, headed: “Descriptive Role, of the Artificers in Capt. William Gates; Company of Artillery.” Document lists 13 soldiers—carpenters and blacksmiths—and their ages, heights, birthplaces, eye and hair colors, dates of enlistment, and occupations. Most interesting are the personal remarks, which include: “This man is a good workman, good solider and a steady man”; “Not the best of duty men, but the most ingenious”; “A little wild at times…requires a strict hand”; “A little inclined to intoxication, a very serviceable man in carpentry, repares [sic] boots pretty good”; and “This man is uncommonly ingenious.” Partially separated intersecting folds (repaired with archival tape on the reverse), and adhesive remnants to left edge, otherwise very good condition. RR Auction COA.…(MB $200)
Jackson prepares for an assignment at VMI 384. Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. Scarce ALS signed “T. J.
Jackson, Bvt. Maj. Infty,” one lightly-lined light blue page, 8 x 9.75, July 31, 1851. Jackson, then on vacation in upstate New York, writes to General R. Jones. In full: “I have in compliance with the wish of the Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute postponed my visit to Europe. As he informed me that the Department has authorised him to say to me, that I could use my leave of absence as I might prefer. I shall be in Washington by the 10th of next month.” In fine, clean condition, with horizontal mailing fold passing through rank beneath signature, some wrinkling along the upper horizontal fold, and a tiny chip to left edge affecting nothing. Jackson was in upstate New York at the time seeking treatment for a chronic stomach ailment by a physician whom he had recently met. The physician, Lowery Barney, changed his diet and placed him on an exercise regimen. Barney also introduced Jackson to hydropathy, which used only cold water as a medical treatment. Incidentally, as referenced in this letter, Jackson did eventually join VMI as a member of its faculty, where he was an unpopular teacher whose methods were said to lack originality. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $1000)
| 89