Sep 26, 2019 - Sale 2517

Sale 2517 - Lot 45

Price Realized: $ 3,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
"AN IGNOMINIOUS DEATH WILL PROBABLY BE THE PENALTY" (CIVIL WAR--CONFEDERATE.) Nutter, C.N. A heartbroken letter to a new Confederate recruit from his devoted Unionist parents. Autograph Letter Signed to son John A. Nutter. 2 pages, 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches; folds, minor wear. Ritchie County, WV, 29 May 1861
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Christopher Newton Nutter (1809-1883) and his wife Sarah Ann Swisher Nutter (1818-1894) wrote this letter to their son John Alvin Nutter (1839-1861) upon learning that he had enlisted in the 31st Virginia Infantry. "With a trembling hand and a sad heart we address you this morning (if living). We gladly received your letter yesterday, but its contents to us were of the most soul-sickening kind. To learn from your letter that you who we had fondly hoped would not dare to assist in the destruction of the best government that has ever existed, but alas how deceptive are all our fond anticipations. . . . We entreat you to retrace the false step you have taken before it shall be forever too late. . . . You most certainly was insane or have very false views. . . . An ignominious death will probably be the penalty. Ritchie County gave 372 majority against secession. If Virginia by her vote does secede, we of western Virginia intend to secede from the eastern part. . . . We would love to see you as a child & friend but not as an enemy. . . . How can you who profess to love the doctrines & discipline of the M.E. Church aid in destruction. . . . Prepare my son to meet thy God. Forget not to pray." The Nutters' wayward son died the following December at the Battle of Camp Allegheny.