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Military
396. Henry Knox Letter Signed. Revolutionary War general,
first United States Secretary of War, and founder of the military school that became West Point (1750–1806). LS signed “H. Knox,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 12.5, January 29, [1790s]. Official War Office letter to Revolutionary War veteran Sharp Delany, who was appointed by George Washington as first Collector of Customs in Philadelphia. In part: “The Secretary of the Treasury has informed me that he has written to you on the payment of the first moiety of the Invalid Pensioners within the State of Pennsylvania, and that he has arranged with you the funds for that purpose. I shall transmit you a list of the said pensioners which has been received at this office, which is exactly to govern your payments.” In very good condition, with edge tears and paper loss, and old tape repairs to nearly complete separations along very fragile horizontal folds. Starting Bid $200
Tremendous, content-rich handwritten letter from Steuben—“Our President is still on his tour of the Holy Land; he receives and gives beautiful speeches everywhere”
397. Friedrich von Steuben Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French, signed “Steuben,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, November 3, 1789. Handwritten letter to French diplomat Elénor-François-Elie, Comte de Moustier, in part (translated): “Since your departure nothing here has happened that merits your attention. Our President is still on his tour of the Holy Land; he receives and gives beautiful speeches everywhere. In ten days he will return to our capital. We have very little direct news of what is going on where you are. Jefferson has still not arrived, and your cursed ship still moves as slowly as a turtle to keep us in the dark. We get all our news via London, as dark as the smoke out of their chimneys. A lot of your ministers have been disgraced, courtiers exiled, robins chased to England and all are disheartened. Reading the articles about France, I feel transported to the century of Honorius. France stands for the Eastern Empire, and Paris for Constantinople.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $500
398. USS Constitution Wooden Box. Very attractive
display box constructed of wood removed from the hull of the USS Constitution during the frigate’s historic 1927 restoration, measuring 7.25 x 4.25 x 2.5, with the box front bearing the original bronze plate, which reads: “This material was taken from the original hull of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Keel laid 1794, Rebuilding 1927.” The handsome box lid features a 2.5? diameter bronze emblem with embossed image of “Old Ironsides” with its sails up, with raised text below: “Launched 1797, 1804 Tripoli, 1812 Guerriere, Java, 1813 Cyane, Levant, U.S. Frigate Constitution.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Image larger than actual size
Rare signed portrait of the Confederate general
400. Robert E. Lee Signed Photograph. Highly
desirable 2.5 x 4 carte-de-visite portrait of Robert E. Lee in uniform with three stars discernible on his collar, boldly signed in ink, “R. E. Lee.” Published by The ‘Lee’ Photographic Gallery of Richmond, Virginia. In very good to fine condition, with light overall soiling, scattered small spots, and some skipping to the signature. Starting Bid $500
399. Judah P. Benjamin Autograph Letter Signed. British-born American politi-
cian and lawyer (1811–1884) who, after serving in the US Senate and rejecting nomination to the Supreme Court, served variously as attorney general, secretary of war, and secretary of state for the Confederacy. Uncommon ALS, one page, 7.75 x 9.75, February 27, 1835. Handwritten letter to Washington Moody, in part: “I have at length the pleasure of enclosing you a check for the amount of claim against Mr. Parton—as follows,” listing several line items amounting to $251.09. He adds a postscript signed with his initials, “J. P. B.,” in full: “I collect claims for sums over one thousand dollars at five per ct.” In very good to fine condition, with old clear tape over various fold splits. Starting Bid $200
Extremely important letter as Custer prepares to track down Early’s army on the morning of the Battle of Waynesboro
401. George A. Custer. Extremely important Civil War–dated LS in pencil, signed “G. A. Custer,” one page, 4 x 7.25, 11:45 AM on March 2, 1865. Letter to Bvt. Maj. Gen. Lewis Addison Grant, reporting on troop movements and conditions. In full: “I have arrived at Fisherville and found here but—one Company of Cavalry—they fell back toward Waynesboro—The roads are in a very bad condition—almost impossible for wagons or artillery. Genl. Rosser is reported to have passed through here last night.” Matted with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 14 x 11. In very good to fine condition, with several horizontal folds and a few small stains.
Leading his division in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley campaign, Custer had received orders to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad and take Lynchburg. Making a difficult march over wet clay roads in which horses were foundering in mud up to their bellies, Custer received word that the enemy, under Jubal Early and Thomas Rosser (Custer’s friend and former West Point roommate), had just evacuated Staunton and fallen back toward Waynesboro. Driving off Confederate vedettes at Fisherville, Custer and his men marched to Waynesboro and found Early’s army dug in behind a formidable line of earthworks that afternoon. Acting boldly, Custer did not await reinforcements and attacked immediately, throwing the Confederate forces into a panic and routing them in short order. Federal accounts claimed the capture of 1,600 men, 17 flags, 11 guns, and all of Early’s supplies. Early escaped capture, but would never return to the battlefield. Starting Bid $500
Disabled Soldiers membership certificate signed by Lee and Hood
402. Robert E. Lee and John Bell Hood Document
Signed. Rare partly-printed DS, signed “R. E. Lee” and “J. B. Hood, Pres,” one page, 6.5 x 4.5, no date. An unissued engraved certificate of membership for the Southern Hospital Association for Disabled Soldiers in New Orleans, founded July 1, 1866. Signed at the conclusion by both Confederate generals. Affixed along its top edge to a slightly larger backing sheet. In very fine condition. Starting Bid $300
lope. Hand-addressed mailing envelope, 8.25 x 4, penned in Custer’s hand to his wife, “Mrs. Genl. Custer, Monroe, Michigan.” Envelope bears four three-cent George Washington postage stamps, and a Fort Buford, Dak., postmark. Envelope is also docketed by Mrs. Custer in pencil, “Sept 6th, 1st Yellowstone.” Archivally double-matted and framed with two portraits and a biographical caption to an overall size of 21.75 x 12.25. In very good to fine condition, with creasing and tears to the edges; the handwritten area of the envelope is clean and unaffected. Starting Bid $200
404. Napoleon Letter Signed. LS in French, signed “Nap,” one page both sides, 7 x 8.5, October 21, 1808. Excellent letter addressed to General Henry-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke boasting military content concerning cavalry maneuvers from Naples to Rome. The letter, in part (translated): “Order the 1st and 2nd squadrons from the 25th cavalry in Naples to go to Rome, where they will be part of the Italian army...In consideration of this change, the Neapolitan army will not lose any infantry, and the Italian army will gain two regiments.” Regally matted and framed with a biographical plaque and portrait to an overall size of 27.75 x 27; a window to frame backing reveals the first page of the letter. In fine condition, with some brushing to the signature. Starting Bid $200
Significant handwritten letter on early 18th century British naval matters by Admiral Rooke
407. George Rooke Autograph Letter Signed. ALS
signed “G: Rooke,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7 x 8.75, June 28, 1702. Handwritten letter to “Mr. Clarke,” saying that he will carry out the Prince’s orders to suspend Sir John Munden, though he disagrees with the decision; makes a suggestion for the Queen’s oversight of her fleet; and complains about a junior officer’s request for assignment on a certain ship. In part: “I have Received the favoure…wth his R’ll Highnesse’s Order inclos’d for suspending Sr. Jon. Munden from his command, wch. I shall obey; and suspend my Judgment, of that Order, tho’ I can’t my thoughts, they giving me some melancholly reflecting on what the Duke of Ormond and my selfe if we doe not succeede in our Expedition: and truly I begin to be of an opinion that the Queene will never be well searv’d att sea till she sends a Committee of her councell to see the execution of her orders; the Dutch whoe are a wise people once tooke that course for theire information, and have ever since taken their sea Officers Acc’ts of theire Expeditions wth. satisfaction.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Rare 1684 letter on maritime victories over the Barbary pirates: “We have had good success against the Sallay Pyratts: for in nine mounths we have destroyed five of them, two taken, one sunk, & two chased ashore”
408. Cloudesley Shovell Autograph Letter Signed. English naval
officer (1650–1707) who took part in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, Nine Years’ War, and War of the Spanish Succession before perishing in a disastrous shipwreck off the Isles of Scilly. ALS signed “Clou: Shovell,” one page, 8 x 11.75, March 8, 1684. Handwritten letter reporting on his victories over the Barbary pirates out of the port of Salé, in part: “We have had good success against the Sallay Pyratts: for in nine mounths we have destroyed five of them, two taken, one sunk, & two chased ashore. Another of 26 gunns narrowly escaped me. I chased him into Mamora who venturing in before high watter to escape me he struck upon the Barr.” He goes on to discuss the strength of part of the fleet’s ships, enumerating the quantities of their guns. In very good condition, with overall wrinkling, foxing, and a newspaper clipping affixed at the bottom. Starting Bid $200
