Shakespeare, William. Texas and the Civil War - photo 1
Shakespeare, William. Texas and the Civil War - photo 1

Texas and the Civil War

Sold
$ 18 750
Auction dateClassic
15.10.2021 00:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 627691
Lot 200 | Texas and the Civil War
TEXAS AND THE CIVIL WAR – A large collection of 96 letters and documents, various places, 1837-1897 (bulk 1863-1865), including documents and letters signed or endorsed by J. Bankhead MAGRUDER (1807-1871), Hugh McCULLOCH (1808-1895), John W. GEARY (1819-1873), E. Kirby SMITH (1824-1893) Richard TAYLOR (1826-1879), John George WALKER (1821-1893), Samuel B. MAXEY (1825-1895), James E. SLAUGHTER (1827-1901), Ashbel SMITH (1805-1886), Thomas GREEN (1814-1864) Pendleton MURRAH (c. 1824-1865), Francis R. LUBBOCK (1815-1905), Henry A. WISE (1806-1876), and others.

137 pages, various sizes (fine condition overall, with occasional marginal wear).

An important archive of Texas letters and documents, many written in the waning years of the Civil War. A large body of letters and documents that concern military affairs in Texas from 1863 to the close of the Civil War in the west in June 1865. Subjects range from general orders, reports from costal fortifications, reports on Union naval and troop movements to personnel matters and recruitment. Of particular interest is an autograph letter signed by General Thomas GREEN, Pleasant Hill, 11 April 1864, written the day before he was killed by a Union gunboat on the banks of the Red River. Also notable is the correspondence that dates around and after Lee's surrender at Appomattox including a report by General James E. SLAUGHTER, marked “Confidential”, Brownsville, 18 March 1865, on intelligence that “His Excellency Emperor Maximillian has Approved of the agreement entered into between Genl. [José Tomás de la Luz] Mejia & myself for the ‘rendition of Criminals Refugees from justice,’ but it is to appear as a arrangement between us as a Military Govern[men]t. On the Frontier for the mutual benefit and protection for the two Governments which we represent.” A fascinating autograph letter signed by planter Thomas AFFLECK (1812-1868) to General Magruder, Glenblythe, 18 May 1865 plainly discusses the end of hostilities: "With you, I much fear that the army cannot be held together. Yet, do not despair. A better feeling may arise amongst them. If not, God can alone help us. The negotiations are safe in Gov. Allen's hands. But what can we expect from so base a foe, having the power in their hands! Ever if any fair terms were made, they will not be kept, if we surrender our arms." He also advises Magruder that a close eye should be kept on enslaved persons and banning any late night gatherings, noting that many "being to consult together!" A letter from Samuel Maxey, written the following day from Beauchamp Springs (19 May 1865) recommending to General Magruder that his troops remain in camp “until the policy of furlough is developed.” Ten days later, E. Kirby Smith surrendered on behalf of Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department.

Although the archive primarily concerns the Civil War, there are a few notable pieces from before the conflict, most notably Barnard BEE Sr. (1787-1853), a rare document signed , Houston, 30 December 1837, being a discharge paper issued by the Republic of Texas; as well as Andrew JOHNSON (1808-1875), document signed as Governor of Tennessee, Nashville, 23 May 1854[?], appointing a commissioner to the State of Texas. The collection was assembled primarily by Joseph Elwood Painter (1842-1878) of West Chester Pennsylvania, who entered the U.S. service in 1864 after serving as a medical cadet at hospitals in Philadelphia and Harrisburg and later took a civilian post in Texas. Provenance: J. Elwood Painter – John Vickers Painter – by descent to the consignor.
Artist:William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
Applied technique:Pencil
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
01.10.2021 – 15.10.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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