Documents

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     General Nathan Bedford Forrest surrendered his Command in Gainesville, Alabama on May 9, 1865, the last organized command east of the Mississippi to do so.

This grouping belonged to Lieutenant J. W.  Alexander of Company "B" - Forrest's Cavalry Regiment, known prior to the consolidation in 1865, as the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. Included is Lieut. Alexander's PAROLE OF HONOR signed on May 11, 1865, just two days after the Surrender....three tintypes of Alexander.....complete MUSTER ROLL of Company "B" - Forrest's Cavalry and the "drop" portion of Alexander's Member of Forrest's Cavalry Badge.

This incredibly rare group comes from a time and place in Southern History that marks the last shot fired by arguably the most brilliant, successful and feared Cavalry Commander of all time.....SOLD

Gettysburg Campaign Letter of Private William Wallace Smith  of Company B - 22nd MA.  The letter in pencil on rag laid paper was written to Private Smith's brother back home....very legible and easily read....GREAT GETTYSBURG CONTENT. Gettysburg content letters from those were there and fought the Great Battle are scarce and desirable.

At Gettysburg, July 2, as part of Tilton's Brigade, Barnes Division, Sykes 5th Corps, the 22nd MA was in the thick of the fight near Devil's Den on the Union left, losing 13 killed and mortally wounded.

The 22nd and Smith saw the elephant in many battles including the Peninsular Campaign, The Wilderness, Antietam, Gettysburg and the Siege of Petersburg.....of the 1300 men who started with the regiment only 124 returned when it was retired from service. Private Smith survived and was of the 124 however, he was wounded on June 3, 1864 at Bethesda Church, Virginia....he was mustered out at Boston on October 17, 1864......SOLD

Wonderful ALS signed Jefferson Davis......The letter dated December 20, 1872, was written by Jefferson Davis to J. H. Bowman and pertains to a claim involving Davis' brother, a lawyer and partner in the firm Reed & Davis. The letter is in very fine condition, boldly written on one page and signed in ink by Jefferson Davis. Perfect for framing....$2,000.00

Very Significant and Revealing ALS signed "W. T. Sherman", eight lightly lined pages on four sheets conjoined in pairs, 5 x 8. Written on Headquarters, Army of the United States letterhead. Sherman writes to General Manning F. Force and is upset with the politics and treatment of the military by former General U. S. Grant and now President Grant. Great Historical Letter dated March 14, 1876, all in the hand of former General W. T. Sherman.....Obviously all was not well between between former comrades, Grant and Sherman.......$1,575.00

  This is an Outstanding Four Page Confederate Officer's  POW Letter from Camp Chase, Ohio...dated March 9, 1864. Major J. W. A. Wright of the 36th Alabama was seriously wounded and captured at Missionary Ridge...JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER WRITING THIS LETTER, MAJOR WRIGHT MADE A REMARKABLE ESCAPE WHILE BEING MOVED FROM CAMP CHASE TO FORT DELAWARE....The complete story of his escape is chronicled in a lengthy article from Confederate Veteran Magazine...A copy of the article is included with the letter.

The lengthy and easily read ink letter has great content and is in wonderful condition....Confederate Officer POW Letters are especially desirable to the serious collector and this superb example is a real winner.....$595.00

   This is a War Date Endorsement Signed By Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest  in Tupelo on May 17, 1864, while  preparing for the Historic Battle of Brice's Crossroads. His young and brilliant Artilleryman, Capt. John W. Morton writes the Commander of the Selma Arsenal on May 16th requesting that two men, a Private Moore and Private O'Halleron be transferred to Forrest's Command. These men are needed in the Battalion.....Morton also requests two harness makers and one wheelwright.

General Forrest then adds his endorsement and request on Morton's letter with his earnest request that these men be returned to his Command as it is in great need of blacksmiths......Forrest signs: N. B. Forrest Maj. Genl.

The request was refused by General S. D. Lee stating that the men were indispensable to the Arsenal at Selma.....

What an incredible piece....not only Forrest, Morton, S. D. Lee, W. H. Brand, William Elliott and J. C. Compton were players in the deal but the mere fact that the letter was written two weeks prior to and in preparation of the Greatest  Cavalry Battle in American History.....Incredible Find.....CALL........SOLD

 

RARE NEW ORLEANS SLAVE DOCUMENT partially printed and filled in by hand. The 1857 Bill of Sale is for a 12 year old boy named Eliza Cooper sold by J. M. Wilson to James Akin for the sum of $700.00. Wilson guarantees that the Slave has no vices or maladies...This is a beautiful piece from Pre Civil War New Orleans. Printed Slave Documents are in great demand and short supply...This one is on light blue paper and would be beautiful framed......$675.00

This is a great Slave Bill of Sale for two Negro boys...one named Charley aged fourteen years, the other named Miledg. The Bill is from Chambers County, Alabama and dates to 1839. Written in dark ink on one side only so it's great for framing.....Outstanding condition....$275.00

Large, bold ink signature of Sam Houston, American Statesman (1793-1863).  Sam Houston..."The Raven"...a very colorful figure in Texas History....Houston was Commander-In-Chief of Texas Forces and immediately took control after The Alamo and Goliad fell to the Mexican Army.....He defeated Santa Anna at The Battle Of  San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, and later that year became the First President of Texas. Sam Houston died in Huntsville, Texas in 1863, before the end of America's Civil War.....The  signature is accompanied by an interesting unsigned multi-page 19th century manuscript in ink and pencil titled "The Merits Comparative And Discursive Of The Two Most Conspicuous Heroes Of Modern Times, Samuel Houston And Samuel Patch".....comprising a lengthy and rhyming poem discussing the exploits of the two men....The manuscript is stained and worn but is mostly legible....SOLD

This Civil War Diary and grouping belonged to Sergeant Major Selar Mead of the 93^rd Indiana Infantry and is fresh from a recent estate sale in Kokomo, Indiana. Mead’s diary is the pivotal part of this fine group which includes his appointment as Sergeant Major signed by De Witt Clinton Thomas, the Regiment’s Commanding Colonel. Also included in the group is Mead’s discharge document issued at Gainesville, Alabama on July 13, 1865….signed by Colonel Thomas (later Brig. Genl.)… and finally Mead’s copy of Casey’s Tactics that was presented to him in Memphis on July 25, 1864….

 

Sgt. Mead’s discharge lists his major battles which include the following:

 

Battle of Jackson

Siege of Vicksburg

Siege of Jackson

Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads

Battle of Nashville

Battle of Spanish Fort

Battle of Mobile

 

He is cited in the Official Records by Colonel Thomas for his zeal displayed at The Battle of Brice’s Crossroads.   In this historic battle Confederate Cavalry Troops Commanded by General Nathan Bedford Forrest soundly defeated the Yanks. Forrest and his troops captured the entire Union wagon train which included 14 artillery guns, 52 officers and 1,571 men and inflicted well over 500 casualties.

The 93^rd  was a hard fought regiment that encountered the wrath of “That Devil Forrest” on multiple occasions..... Sergeant  Mead was present and fighting during that important part of our history.

In February, 1864, General Smith with seven thousand mounted men was sent against him in co-operation with Sherman, but was utterly routed at Okolona and Prairie Mound. In return Forrest rode through Tennessee to the Ohio river, and captured Fort Pillow, Union City and other posts with their garrisons. In June Federals under General Sturgis entered Mississippi. Forrest, at Brice's Cross Roads struck the straggling Federal column at its head, crushed that, and then in detail routed successive brigades until Sturgis had suffered one of the most humiliating defeats of the war, losing all his trains and a third of his men. Gen. A. J. Smith renewed the invasion with 14,000 men, but retreated after a desperate battle at Harrisburg, near Tupelo.

 

Reorganizing his beaten forces Smith again advanced with reinforcements from Memphis, and Forrest was compelled to foil the enemy by taking half his force and making a sixty-hour ride to Memphis, the daring entry of which compelled Smith's rapid retreat. Then for a time General Forrest made havoc with the Federal transportation, garrisons and depots in Tennessee, exploits crowned by the capture and destruction of six million dollars' worth of the enemy's supplies and a gunboat fleet, at Johnsonville,--"a feat of arms," wrote Sherman, "which I must confess excited my admiration."

We have scanned all of the pages of the diary so that the individual entries and dates can be seen and read. The pages are not  shown in chronological and the photos appear randomly……

The front and back covers are present but detached or fragile and there are a few loose pages but all are present and legible. In some instances it looks like Sgt. Mead made pencil entries (perhaps while in the field) and then traced over them in ink.

Sergeant Major Mead’s Military Records are included in the archive. This is an extremely important archive and priced well below its historical value.......$3,000.00

  Incredible War Date Endorsement of General George Custer  dated October 27, 1863. General Meade's Endorsement is also a part of the document. The piece is museum framed in such as way that Meade's Endorsement can be seen on a cut out on the obverse. This truly stunning piece will enhance any collector's wall....War Dated Custer material is becoming very rare and expensive....$3,750.00

Very nice Historic Confederate $1,000 Loan Certificate from the Confederate States of America issued in February 1863. This historic document has an ornate border around it with vignettes of a steamship at the bottom and the famous Confederate General, Stonewall Jackson at the top. The loan is hand signed by C. Rose for the Register of the Treasury and is number 8321. It was printed by Archer & Daly, Richmond, Virginia. There are 7 interest coupons remaining,  the last one being due on July 1st, 1865.  Stonewall Jackson Bonds are very scarce and very desirable......$295.00

This Bank Check was written and signed by Key and made payable to Mrs. Peggy McLaughlin for $42.50. The check is beautifully preserved in a museum quality frame with a descriptive plaque. The overall size is 11" X 12"and would be perfect for home or office.....Very Rare........$1,750.00

On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through clearing smoke to see an enormous flag flying proudly after a 25-hour British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Key was inspired to write a poem, which was later set to music. Even before "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem, it helped transform the garrison flag with the same name into a major national symbol of patriotism and identity. The flag has had a colorful history, from its origins in a government contract through its sojourn with several generations of a Baltimore family to its eventual donation to the Smithsonian Institution.

 

This great partly printed document on vellum is in Latin and is an 1842 diploma from the University of Nashville granting a Bachelor of Arts to  John Wharton Williams. The diploma is boldly signed by Andrew Jackson who is at the top of a list of several other trustees....among the other trustees are John Bell who was Secretary of War under Harrison and Tyler and a candidate for President in the 1860 election....other signers include university president Philip Lindsley and Nashville founder, Francis Fogg.

The silk and paper seal remains intact at the center....The document measures 18" X 17" is in fine condition and  perfect for framing. It's clearly dated October 5, 1842...interestingly Vanderbilt University later acquired the medical school and other departments of the University of Nashville.....Truly a rare document from early Nashville and signed by "Old Hickory"......SOLD

7. This is a Joshua Chamberlain letter concerning a volume of the Roster of Brigade Commanders...He mentions several Generals  including Vincent and Bartlett....The writing and signature are in bold ink and very legible.....written on The Florida West Coast Improvement Co. letterhead with caption "Constructing the Silver Springs, Ocala and Gulf Railroad". 

The letter is not dated but Chamberlain served as Vice President of The Florida West Coast Improvement Company in the 1880's so it can be assumed to be from that period....there is a a discoloration at the top with little or no affect on this very rare Chamberlain Post War piece...The text is unquestionably entirely in Chamberlain's hand and written all at once.  It appears however, that his signature (although authentic) was added later  ..$1,750.00 REDUCED $1,250.00

8. This is an extremely rare and desirable Bourbon County, Kentucky Slave Document that is actually three documents in one.  A slave whose name was Captain Davis was freed by his master and then subsequently purchased his wife from her owner whose name was Thomas Ardny.  After freed slave, Captain Davis purchased Darkey, he then "set her free" and issued the proper "Deed of Manumission".....this emancipated or set  Darkey free. 

The clerk of Bourbon County, Kentucky- Thomas P. Smith prepared the "Deed of Manumission" and signed same on January 7, 1839....Smith then acknowledged and applied his seal to Captain Davis'  X mark......

The three documents incorporated on the front and back of this 8" X 7-3/4" are all neatly and legibly written in ink.  This is truly a remarkable piece of Black Americana and is in fine condition with no damage and nor repairs......$995.00

 9.

This is a very rare Texas Planters Oath from Lavaca County, Texas. The document is written in period brown ink and dated the 23rd of September, 1865. James C. Finnie certifies on oath that three (3) bales of cotton "were produced by him on his plantation in Lavaca County and that  said cotton was never the property of the late so called Confederate States" .....more very interesting text. An extremely nice document that's very legible. There is one small hole in the center fold that does not touch any text and affects nothing.....Several signatures......Great Southern History and Great Americana.....$375.00

 

10. This is a Yazoo City, Mississippi Tax Receipt for the year 1859.  It's from the The Corporation Of Yazoo City for taxes on the personal estate of James D. Taylor.  It includes lot no. 128 along with taxes for money loaned and WHITE POLL TAX..........AND SLAVE POLL TAX $5.00.........Signed A. B. Johnson, Assessor and Tax Collector Yazoo City. The document is on blue gray paper and is partially printed.  The size is perfect for framing....7 5/8" X 6 1/4"....Excellent condition with no tears....Interesting that there was a Poll Tax for both Whites and Slaves........$225.00

 

  An Obscenely Rare War Date Letter from Brigadier General Nathan Bedford Forrest at his Headquarters in Kingston, Tennessee written to his Commanding Officer, General Joseph Wheeler just before the Historic Battle of Chickamauga. General Forrest commanding the 1st Cavalry Division writes General Wheeler positioned in Gadsden, Alabama along the Georgia border awaiting the Big Battle. Forrest has just appointed a Cavalryman named John Parrish who had  just escaped from a seven month imprisonment in a Union Prison in Nashville.  The letter is as follows:

  "Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, Kingston [Tennessee] August 19, 1863- General; John Parrish a private in McLaw's old company has been in prison in Nashville. Made his escape and has reported to me here. I have ordered him to report to Company C of 1st Tennessee Calvary for duty, until I hear as to what shall be done with him. I am General, Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.

N.B. FORREST BRIG. GENERAL COMD'G" 

The letter is housed in a gorgeous and unique museum frame backed with gray linen and a portrait of General Forrest. There are also three individual brass plaques incorporated in the frame and include:  1. Short biography of Forrest   2.  Letter Transcription 3.  Name plate under Forrest's portrait.

The actual document is individually and separately attached with cabinet hinges and magnets to allow reading of the back....A Stunning Display .......SOLD

Great post war letter from former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest  to former comrade Colonel William R. Hunt. The letter is signed by N. B. Forrest as President and pertains to  Selma, Marion & Memphis Railroad business. The letter written on October 7th, 1871,  reads in pertinent part as follows:

"Enclosed you will find statement of the subscription from Memphis which will explain itself. The cost of carrying the election has well nigh exhausted the commissions but still we come out ahead. I hope the statement will be satisfactory. The company has no money. They have lands and bonds either of which I hope will suit you to take in payment of your a/c. As for the amount of your claim for salary the matter has been referred to the auditing committee who have not reported. As soon as they report I will advise you of their action".

Yours Respy.

N. B. Forrest Prest     SOLD

This Super Rare Slave Bill of Sale from Memphis dated April 27, 1857, is written and signed entirely in the hand of N. B. Forrest. At the time of this Sale, Forrest & Maples had a thriving Negro Trade and supplied Slaves to many major cities in several states. According to research through the Shelby County, Tennessee Archives, Forrest’s Slave Trading Business was known by locals as  “The Negro Mart” and business was brisk.

The Bill of Sale reads in pertinent part, “Recd of James Akin Eleven Hundred and thirty five dollars in full pay for a negro girl named Sofy aged about sixteen years of dark color. I warrant said slave to be sound in mind and body and a slave for life. I further warrant and will forever defend the right and title against all lawful claims of all persons.

 Given under my hand and seal….

 N. B. Forrest

Jas A. Forrest   

The document is written in bold ink and is in remarkably good condition with no folds or damage that affect the text or signatures.....SOLD

 

Slave Bill of Sale from Tennessee...The document is from 1849 and for the sale of a 15 year old Negro boy. The boy is sold for four hundred dollars and  warranted to be sound in mind and health but little good. The bill has more interesting language than most that we see. The back is witnessed, sealed and notarized in Bedford County, Tennessee.....Great condition with no tears and very legible.......SOLD

Slave Bill of Sale from Union County, Arkansas...The document is from 1850 and for the sale of  a young Negro girl named Cecelia aged eight  years and sold for two hundred and eighty five dollars.  The girl  is  warranted to be sound in mind and health and a slave for life. The bill has more interesting language than most that we see. It is signed, witnessed, and sealed in Union County, Arkansas.....Great condition with no tears and very legible.....SOLD

N. B FORREST TWICE SIGNED RAILROAD BOND.....

This Selma, Marion & Memphis Railroad Bond is fully intact with two bold ink signatures of General Forrest. The bond is complete with 33 coupons....the document was folded, matted and framed showing the front of the bond along with one of the two General Forrest's signatures.....The framing was professionally done with a very nice portrait of the General.....This is a stunning piece that will breath life into your home or office...these have become extremely scarce in recent years and to find one in this condition is very difficult.....SOLD