Apr 13, 2023 - Sale 2633

Sale 2633 - Lot 76

Price Realized: $ 688
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(CIVIL WAR--PRISONS.) Charles J. Wever. Pair of letters written by a Virginia Confederate prisoner in the north. Autograph Letters Signed to friend Belle Goshorn of Wheeling, WV, each one page, about 8 x 5 inches; mailing folds, minimal wear. With both original stamped and postmarked envelopes, one of them also stamped "Prisoner's Letter, Examined, Fort Delaware, Del." Various places, 1864
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Additional Details

The prisoner Private Charles Jacob Wever (1837-1878) was a member of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. He was captured by Union troops on 8 November 1863, not long after his regiment fought at the Battle of Bristoe Station. His correspondent may have been a pen pal of sorts, a Confederate sympathizer in Union-held West Virginia who tried to keep the prisoners in good spirits.

The first of these letters was written while prisoner at Fort Delaware, DE on 15 June 1864. He reports: "I have been quite unwell. . . . I am nearly well, but weak and nervous yet. John B. Sherrard is at Camp Chase, at least we left him there. He is an ex-Maj., a citizen, and will be released upon taking the oath. . . . I hope to quit this place soon, never to see or hear tell of again. Some prisoners from the front have arrived, among them many of my friends. The casualties in my reg't has been frightfully great. . . . How I would like to be with the boys to share their dangers and toil." The second letter was written from Fortress Monroe, VA on the day after his exchange, "board the steamer George Leary," 1 November 1864: "I am en route for Dixie. . . . I am the only one of your many friends at Fort Delaware who got off. My wounds (three in number) are taking me to Dixie. . . . I shall write to you by Flag of Truce. Since my imprisonment you have been very kind to me. . . . I hope we may meet soon."