Description:

Civil War
Frederick, MD, September 30, 1861
Maryland Doctor Inspires Troops In 1861 By Characterizing Alternative As Slavery: "This attempt by traitors to subvert our government - to forge for freemen the galling chains of slavery… cannot and will not be permitted"
AMS

A 2pp autograph manuscript signed, being a retained copy of a patriotic speech draft, signed by its author, Dr. Robert Lewis Annan (1831-1907), as "Dr. Robt L. Annan" on the second page. September 30, 1861. Frederick, Maryland. Inscribed on either side of a single leaf of laid paper, with several contemporary edits. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and isolated closed tears repaired with tape. Scattered ink smears mostly affecting the second page. Isolated contemporary and more recent pencil inscriptions. Else good to very good. 7.375" x 12.125." Provenance: From the Collection of Arthur "Gil" Barrett (ca. 1936-2019), the well-known Civil War memorabilia collector from New Bern, North Carolina.

This is a retained speech draft of an address delivered by Dr. Robert Lewis Annan before the assembled troops of Cavalry Company C, 1st Potomac Home Brigade, on October 2, 1861 at Camp Frederick, their headquarters just south of Frederick, Maryland. The Union Ladies of Emmitsburg had selected Dr. Annan to be their spokesman and present a hand-sewn flag to the company. For more information about Dr. Annan's speech and the flag presentation ceremony, please see the outstanding historical Civil War Potomac blog, "A River Divided: The Civil War Along The Potomac," November 1, 2016, entitled "Spending Time at Camp Frederick." This blog cites an article in the "Frederick Examiner," dated October 2, 1861, which describes the ceremony at Camp Frederick in which Dr. Annan participated.

Dr. Annan was a beloved physician, respected town official, and Presbyterian elder from Emmitsburg, Frederick County, Maryland, located about 30 miles north of Camp Frederick just .3 miles south of the Mason-Dixon Line and the Pennsylvania border. Indeed, Dr. Annan's insistence in the speech that men should definitively choose a side - either Union or Confederate - takes on a startling relevance when one considers that he and his fellow citizens lived virtually astride the symbolic territorial dividing line between North and South.

Paragraph breaks have been added for improved clarity. The speech draft reads in part, with original spelling and punctuation:

"Soldiers - I am here at the earnest solicitation of the Union Ladies of E- to represent them upon this truly interesting + patriotic occasion… It behooves every man at this time to take his position - he must [illegible] stand up boldly in defence of his country - which is now passing through a severe ordeal, and that too, at the insistence of those who should be its warmest friends and supporters, or he must assume an attitude of opposition. He must manifest his loyalty or disloyalty…

Soldiers - you are engaged in a just and holy cause, you saw your country's danger and hastened to her rescue. You heard the call 'to arms', + have promptly obeyed the call… But you have still more strongly exhibited your loyalty in your willingness to risk your lives in defence of your country. Your promptitude, alacrity, and energy in this sacred work is deserving of much praise. It is not necessary for me to tell you that your countrymen fully appreciate the services you will be called upon to render as you part in the crushing of this unnatural conspiracy.
This attempt by traitors to subvert our government - to forge for freemen the galling chains of slavery - to build up a despotism upon the ruins of this great + glorious Republic - to turn this land of peace and plenty into one of anarchy + want, cannot and will not be permitted. Better for that we should, as a people and nation, be entirely blotted out of existence…

The Union Ladies of Emmitsburg… have, by their efforts and with their own fair hands, wrought into grace and beauty, this handsome banner - the emblem of all our Country's greatness, glory, and grandeur; and they would today thus publicly present you with this, our country's flag… Unfurl and bear aloft this flag, then, and see to it, that it is not lowered during this contest - for when our flag goes down - this country goes down with it… Let no traitorous or vandal hand be raised to strike it down while you are its guardians, rally under its bright and ample folds, and there renew your vows made stronger, if possible, to defend the 'Star spangled banner' which will then continue to wave o'er the 'land of the free and the home of the brave.'"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.375" x 12.125"
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