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Jefferson Davis 1862 ANS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Jefferson Davis 1862 ANS
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Jefferson Davis autograph note signed on the verso of a letter, as Confederate President, dated 5 February 1862. Letter, written by Joseph Harris, is dated 30 January 1862 from Summerville, South Carolina. Here, Harris decries J.T. Montgomery, Captain of the Jeff Davis Flying Artillery, for being a drunk, and asks Davis to endorse a forced resignation of the Captain and for charges to be pressed. The Jeff Davis Flying Artillery, originally formed in Selma, Alabama in June of 1861, fought in most of the army's major engagements including Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Letter reads in part, ''Dear sir, Why is it that the Confederacy is stabbed & the Jeff Davis Flying Artillery is murdered by reinstating such a man as J.T. Montgomery. He is a broken down school-master & a drunken preacher…Montgomery has no fitness for the office…Montgomery has the imprudence, presumption & perseverance of Satan…Every friend of the Country implores you to remove the man & save the Company…'' Davis' endorsement, written lengthwise on verso, reads, ''This letter contains charges which though general require attention / Let the case be referred to Genl. Johnston / Jeff. Davis''. The ink in both Davis' endorsement and his signature is very light. Also includes an autograph note signed by Secretary of War Judah Benjamin, dated 5 February 1862: ''Prefer charges against Capt. J.T. Montgomery…'' Letter, measuring 8'' x 12'', runs two pages on lined paper, front and verso. Some showthrough from writing and minor foxing throughout, else near fine condition. Letter is housed in a 10.5'' x 15.25'' slipcase with cloth boards and a blue leather backstrip.