Auction details
8:00 AM PT - Feb 15th, 2009
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Autographs
Archive of Soldier From George Armstrong Custer's Third Cavalry Division Who Was Present At Lee's Surrender (GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER). ARCHIVE OF PRIVATE ROBERT McKINLEY. An archive of ten items belonging to Private Robert McKinley, Co. I, 2nd West Va. Cavalry, part of Custer's Third Cavalry Division at the time of Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865: 1. Carte de visite of Custer (Katz-70), with a notation on the back: "Presented to Robert McKinley June 7th 1865 by Brevet Major General George A Custer Commanding 3rd Cavalry / as a fare well momento." The CDV is worn and toned, with some scattered spotting and some creases at edges which don't touch Custer's image. The mount is stamped "John Brown / Wheeling, West Va." A 2¢ revenue stamp is on the verso. Very Good. 2. A contemporary transcription by "L.W. Barnhart, Capt. & A.A. General" of General Custer's address to the 3rd Cavalry Division, April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, 4 pages, 8" x 5", Fine. In part, "...Your commanding general avails himself of this, his first opportunity, to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles, which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army. The record established by your indomitable courage, is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six months, although in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy in open battle one hundred eleven pieces of field artillery, sixty-five battle flags, and upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven General officers...You have never lost a gun - never lost a color - and have never been defeated." In closing: "And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended, and the task of the historian begins -- when those deeds of daring which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Division imperishable, are inscribed upon the bright pages of our country's history, I only ask that my name may be written as that of the commander of the Third Cavalry Division." Written upside down at the top of page 3 is, "Presented to Robert McKinlay Comy 2nd West Va Cavalry Third Cavalry Division." The pages are toned and there is an archival repair to one fold; otherwise, boldly written. Printed broadsides of Custer's congratulatory address sell for over $3,000. How much more valuable is this handwritten copy by an officer who may well have been part of Custer's staff! 3. McKinley's discharge certificate, dated June 30, 1865, at Wheeling, W. Va. and signed by his commanding officer, Capt. A. Smith, 9.75" x 7.75", Fine. The certificate notes that McKinley was born in Scotland, that he joined in 1862 for three years, and that he was a farmer by occupation. Toned and soiled, but legible. 4. A small New Testament carried by a relative, with notations of war activities along the margins. Front cover is missing and back cover is detached. 5. A time line of the war by McKinley, on five pages of a notebook, 6.75" x 4.75", some pages loose; also, personal notes on McKinley's marriage, and on illnesses and injuries he suffered from the war. 6. An affidavit filed regarding McKinley's pension, by a doctor who was a member of the same company as McKinley in 1864. He gives a notarized statement regarding heart trouble McKinley had during the war. 7. A program for Union Veteran Legion Encampment No. 31, Newark, Ohio, giving the roster for 1912. McKinley is listed. 8. A U.V.L. ribbon pinned with a U.V.L. button to a white handkerchief, along with a green harp-shaped Irish pin and ribbon. 9. An image of McKinley as an older man, 4.5" x 3.75", unevenly cut, some age spots, and mounting remnants on verso. 10. An after supper address given by McKinley to members of the U.V.L., 5 pages, in pencil, Fine. Light soiling and some fold splits. A patriotic address to old comrades, naming the battles in which their members participated, "...and last of all Appomatox I had the Honer of being a member of the 3rd Cavalry Division under General George A Custer...was at Appomattox when General R.E. Lee thowed up the Sponge to U.S. Grant...." (10 items) The 2nd West Virginia was recruited mainly in Ohio. It was organized by Colonel William M. Bolles and operated about Western Virginia until July 1864 when it moved to the Shenandoah Valley. It fought at Kearnstown, Chambersburg, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, Appomattox Station, and was at Appomattox during the surrender of the Confederate Army. The Regiment led the Army of the Potomac in the Grand Review at Washington, then travelled to Wheeling and was mustered out on June 30,1865. During service, the regiment lost 4 officers and 77 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded; 115 enlisted men died from disease. Early American will accept payment by check or credit card. ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images:
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