Description:

Reconstruction
various, ca. 1861-1868
[Reconstruction] 5 ALS from 1866-1868 TX and AL, with 1 ALS Written 3 Weeks After Start of Civil War from Southerner Abroad
Archive

A collection of six letters describing the early Reconstruction period in Alabama and Texas. 3-4pp each, measuring approximately 5.25" x 8", Galveston, Texas, and Sumter County, Alabama. The letters are accompanied by two transmittal covers. Some letters have cross-hatched writing, making it difficult to read the text. All with expected flattened mail folds. Varying degrees of toning, soiling, and foxing. Some areas of chipping and loss at the top edge. Please refer to the photographs for further condition information.

Five of the letters were written during Reconstruction after the Civil War, and one letter was written just after the start of the war in 1861. Three letters were written by Will Wood of Galveston to James Trenchard Esq., dating from 1866-1867. And the remaining three letters were written by R. Chapman to a friend Cataniss.

Highlights include:
1. R. Chapman ALS - October 4, 1867, Plantation, Sumter County, Alabama: "…on getting here the 13th ulto I found everything in such disorder and confusion, that it may require me to stay much longer than I expected. My gin and press had not been repaired nor indeed anything else on the plant…The white man I have here is of no benefit whatever all he is interested in is to get his $700. The cotton crop is not more than half and acreage…The election here was a one sided affair all negroes…The negroes took all these days, and not one I have seen or heard of knows who he voted for. It was all fixed up for them by the Yankees…"

2. Will Wood ALS - November 20, 1866, Galveston, Texas: "…I am much pleased to hear you thinking of coming to Texas. I do think a man of your age is very foolish to stay in a place like Fairton with no money. Texas is the place to make money…"

3. Will Wood ALS - March 10, 1867, Galveston, Texas: "…you speak of Hen Hasle at Farm Hill is and others getting married but say nothing of yourself don't you have no intention of the kind or have you got yourself a whife and keeping it a secret from me. I have come to the conclusion it's the best a young man can dew to get married…I never saw so much drunkenness in my life as I saw here every night. Men of the best standing drink and are found drunk in the streets at times and nothing said of it. I have seen fathers urge their sons to drink and even drink together at Balls…"

4. R. Chapman ALS - May 2, 1861, Paris, France: "…within the last week the most startling news of horrid war and devastation soon reached us from our distracted country; and the fine southerners who are here are in doubt how we can get home…"

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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: 5.25" x 8"
  • Medium: Archive

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