Description:

Stuart James 1833 - 1864 J.E.B. Stuart ALS to the War Department referring to a sword device



Confederate General James Ewell Brown "J.E.B." Stuart (1833-1864), Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page 8vo, from Wytheville, Virginia dated September 1, 1859 and addressed to Adjutant General Samuel Cooper, War Department, regarding a sword device which he had invented and wanted to sell to the U.S. military. Cream blue lined stationery paper with embossed mark upper left corner, measuring 7.75" x 9.75". The letter reads as follows:

"Col; You will perceive by the enclosed letter that the Chief of Ordnance finds difficulty in acting upon a proposition of mine therein referred to without the Proceedings of the Board of Cavalry officers convened at Carlisle Barracks, and as that document is now before the War Dept. I have the honor to request that a copy of the same be furnished to the Col. of Ordnance. Most Respectfully

J.E.B. Stuart, 1st Lt., 1st Cavalry."

Stuart left his post in Kansas and traveled home to Virginia to expedite the War Department's consideration of his innovation, arriving just in time to assist Robert E. Lee in the capture of John Brown at Harper's Ferry. Stuart was all too familiar with the radical abolitionist John Brown, whom he had encountered in Kansas after five pro-slavery settlers were murdered near Pottawatomie. Brown and the border wars that he helped to create were part of the reason Stuart had been posted on the Kansas frontier. On October 18, 1859, Stuart led a detachment of Marines that captured John Brown at Harper's Ferry. A beautifully written letter, in choice condition, from an important era in American history. From the Robert Batchelder collection, priced by him at $12,500.

Provenance:

This remarkable piece is offered directly from the estate of Robert Batchelder, one of the most important dealers of the 20th century, who began collecting autographs and historical documents in the late 1960's. Each piece will include Robert's original description indicating the retail price which could have been 20 years ago, in addition to his inventory folder containing his handwritten notes. Robert's highly diverse background and amazing achievements include a long list of important societal memberships. Examples worthy of note include an honorary membership to the Society Cincinnati as well as memberships to the Manuscript Society, the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America), the ANA (American Numismatic Association), the PAGCA (Pennsylvania Antique Gun Collectors Association), the PADA (Professional Autograph Dealer Association), and the UACC (Universal Autograph Collectors Club). He was a graduate of University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and served in the U.S. Army Air Force.

A portion of the commission on Batchelder lots will be donated to the Alzheimer's foundation in his memory.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000