Sep 28, 2023 - Sale 2646

Sale 2646 - Lot 107

Price Realized: $ 406
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(CIVIL WAR--MARYLAND.) Group of letters by northern civilians commenting upon on the Baltimore Riot. 4 letters, various sizes, minimal to minor wear. With typed transcripts. Philadelphia and Reading, PA, and New York, 19 to 26 April 1861
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Autograph Letter Signed only as "Frank" to friend Al. "It is wo wo wo to the man that dares to utter cecession here. He would be sentenced by Judge Lynch in the leas possible time. Baltimore is taking a very active part and I fear to her sorrow before long, if she does not beg forgiveness. The Massachusetts boys are not going to let their brothers' blood be shed without a murmer. . . . The traitors certainly deserve a good thrashing, and I hope they will get it. . . . I do hope the difficulty will be settled clearly and plainly if it has to be done in blood." Philadelphia, 26 April 1861.

Autograph Letter Signed only as "Fred'k" to his sister. Mentions the Ringgold Light Artillery of Reading, who had been assaulted during the riot: "I would pity the person that hails from Baltimore that would now come to Reading & justify the conduct of that infamous place. The treatment of the Ringgolds is taken very much to heart by our citizens." Reading, PA, 23 April 1861.

Autograph Letter Signed only as "Seward," to "my dear Hannah," on letterhead of Merchants' Hotel in Philadelphia. "Railroad bridges and tracks between here and Baltimore have been burned and tore up, and the government has ordered women & children removed from the city of Baltimore. No doubt it will be bombarded. . . . The troops were attacked on their way through Baltimore and had quite a battle." Philadelphia, 20 April 1861.

Autograph Letter lacking final leaf with signature, to wife. "The news that Mass regiment which left here yesterday was attacked in Baltimore & 2 men killed created a great scene of excitement. . . . My heart sickens at the thought of war, & such a bloody war as it will be, and in all probability in the first of the battles the rebbells will be the successful parties." New York, 19 April 1861.

Provenance: collection of Arthur G. "Gil" Barrett.