Description:

Civil War

Two Civil War Officers Compete for the Affections of the Same Young Woman; Neither Ends up Marrying Her!

 

This remarkable pair of letters by commanders of two different New York regiments were addressed to the same woman in Massachusetts. Both men were in the fortifications besieging Petersburg, Virginia, and they wrote these letters six months apart in 1864. One of the officers later married the recipient’s younger sister.

 

Autograph letter signed by Nathaniel P. Lane, to Adelia Babson, July 2, 1864, near Petersburg, VA. 2 pp., 7.75" x 10". Includes envelope. Expected folds, some staining, two-thirds of back sheet torn away (for reply?).

 

Autograph letter signed by Madison M. Cannon, to Adelia Babson, December 29, 1864, near Petersburg, VA. 4 pp., Includes envelope. Expected folds; very good.

 

Excerpts

 

Nathaniel P. Lane to Adelia Babson, July 2, 1864, “In the field near Petersburg, Va.”

 

“On taking this liberty I may be intruding but I can no longer keep my pen from the paper. I am now a 1st Lieut in the 66th Regt and all of my supperior officers being prisoners, so that places me in Command of the Regiment, and Adelia, I tell you truly, it is my own impression that I will never live to see New York. Now Adelia will you tell me truly have you no Love for me or do you still consider me as a friend only. Oh, Adelia I have loved you and you only, and never will any one love you as I have, and now will you only write me (Will you Love me) Or will you not) for Adelia it will ease my mind if you will only tell me. I am now Capt. Cannon and I have just come from his tent. Now I shall expect an answer from you if but a few lines.”

 

Madison M. Cannon to Adelia Babson, December 29, 1864, “Nr. Petersburg, Va.”

 

“Now Delia since I have finished building my log house, and decorated it suitably to keep up my dignified position, I shall have plenty of time to write letters and you may expect a perfect storm of letters, and if you do not answer every one, I shall ____ well I will tell you when we become better acquainted. However I am not afraid but that Delia will spare time enough to keep all Maddie’s letters answered. Wont you?”

 

“There appears to be a very fair prospect of this army remaining in its present position for a long time. Do you recollect the promise you made to meet me in New York if I should be so fortunate as to obtain another leave in February. I shall not forget and should be pleased to have you fulfil your part of it. Delia I hope you did not feel more lonesome than I did after returning to camp. I dont know what I should have done had it not been for the excitement on the raid to the Weldon R.R. Do you think my visit short and ____ Yes Dearest I know it was very short, but during that short time I experienced more real pleasure than all the rest of my visit.”

 

“I think the opinion of your ‘parients’ very flattering, and Delia you may rest assured that I shall do all in my power to retain their good opinion, and trust that when we become better acquainted they will feel better satisfied with your once stranger correspondent. As I am writing the Band at Brigade Hdqrs is playing the Anvil Chorus. Music is one of the few luxuries that we are allowed. I spent Christmas in camp and remained home all day. I often thought of Diddie and her seaside home. It would have been a Merry Christmas if I could only have dropped in to see Delia.”

 

“Now dearest dont forget to answer promptly for you know how anxious I am to hear from you. Enjoy yourself and be happy New Year’s day & think of your loving Maddie.”

 

Nathaniel P. Lane (1843-1912) was born in Pennsylvania, but his family soon moved to New York. He enlisted as a private in the 7th New York Volunteer Infantry against his parents’ wishes and “exaggerating his age.” He was severely wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. After he recovered, he was made a first lieutenant in the 66th New York Volunteer Infantry. Lane received a promotion to captain of Company A in December 1864. Lane commanded the 66th Regiment at the First Battle of Deep Bottom in late July 1864 as part of the Siege of Petersburg. He resigned his commission on May 29, 1865, because of disability. On February 20, 1865, Lane married Ida Burgess of New Jersey in New York City. In March 1872, she sued for divorce, and he was also indicted for grand larceny. In 1885, he married Sarah E. Davis in Philadelphia, and they had two children.

 

Madison M. Cannon (1840-1892) was born in New York, and in 1860, he worked as a clerk in Louisville, Kentucky. He enlisted as a corporal in Company I of the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged from it in 1862 to accept a commission as a second lieutenant in Company G of the 40th New York Volunteer Infantry. He gained promotion to first lieutenant in October and to captain of Company E in February 1863. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. On July 7, 1864, his company was changed to B. He received promotion to major in September and lieutenant colonel in October. He became colonel of the regiment on November 28, 1864. He mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. He married Adelia Babson’s younger sister Anna Babson (1852-1918) in 1870 in Pigeon Cove, Massachusetts, and they had five children. In 1880, he was a customs house clerk in Brooklyn.

 

Adelia Babson (1845-1927) was born in Massachusetts, the sixth of nine children born to merchant Horatio Babson and his wife Mary. They lived on the Cape Ann peninsula north of Boston between Rockport and Pigeon Cove. In 1868, Adelia Babson married Joseph Edwin Hartwell (1835-1914) of Bedford, Massachusetts.

 

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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