Lot 246

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Description:

J.E.B. Stuart ALS to the War Department Re: 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.  

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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November 11, 2020 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

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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