NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2003 Mar 29 @ 13:00UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
CONSOLING THE WIDOW OF A K.I.A. UNION GUNBOAT COMMANDER: A fascinating and rather intimate group of four letters, three of which are originals and one a retained copy, all giving details of and offering condolences concerning the death of Joseph P. Couthey, Commander of the Gunboat Chillicothe, killed in action on April 3rd, 1864. The letters, written to different individuals, may have been collected as part of a contemporary Naval enquiry. The first, 1p. 4to. by J.H. Hathaway, Paymaster aboard the Chillicothe, in part:"... U.S.S. Chillicothe, Red River, 15 Miles above Alexandria, La., Ap., 1864... It becomes my painful duty to inform you that Lieut. Jos. A. Couthony, late Commanding the Chillicothe received a mortal wound from a guerilla on the evening of the 3rd ...His body...is to be sent to Boston, his clothing & c. will be sent by the next dispatch boat... ". The second, dated April 23, 1864, is a retained copy of the paymaster's letter to a Rebecca L. Duncan, obviously a sweetheart of the late Captain, returning her letters to him and detailing the circumstances of his death, in part: "... It is my painful duty to have to return to you two letters addressed to Capt. Couthoy, and suppose you know ere this, the reason for my doing so. The Chillicothe was about 100 miles above Alexandria on the evening of April 3rd, when a man on the shore called Capt. Couthoy's attention. He went upon the pilothouse, and just as he raised his glass to look, a ball passed completely through the center of his body, from the effects of which he died the next morning. Captain Couthony suffered severely but was sensible to the last ...He gave me your address before his death, explained to me how your letters were addressed to him and requested me to write you and return your letters, speaking of you ...and sending his love and wishes that you would never forget him ...". Evidently the late Captain was well connected, for from the Senate floor, CHARLES SUMNER writes a 3pp. 8vo. tribute to the late Captain, in part:"... Senate Chamber, 27th April, '64 ...I hope you will do me the favor to express to his family my sincerest sympathy in their great sorrow. From the beginning of this war he has seen with perfect clearness its true character & how it has to be conducted. His life is another offering to slavery...". The final letter is a 3pp. 4to. A.L.S. in which Lt. Commander Frank Ramsey offers more particulars about the incident that brought about his death, in part: "U.S.S. Choctaw, Off Mouth of Red River, May 4, 1864 ...I learn that one of the vessels ahead of the Chillicothe was fired into and Captain Couthoy, hearing the firing went up on the upper deck of his vessel to see what it was...Two men were seen riding down towards the bank but no one noticed that they were armed...One of them raised a gun and shot Capt. Couthey through the body near the waist. He lived, I believe, a little more than seven hours...Captain Couthey and myself have been together a great deal since August last and although entire strangers to each other when we met, soon became great friends and passed many pleasant hours together. He often spoke to me of his family and I almost feel that I know his daughters ...". A fine series demonstrating how the death of one person in the Civil War would effect the lives of many other persons in all walks of life All the letters, three of which have complete transcriptions, in near fine condition. $500-700
Auction Location:
United States
Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction.
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Shipment is made via United Parcel Service unless otherwise
instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.
Payment Details:
Payment is expected immediately upon receipt of invoice. All
accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee.
<p>
<p>1.) This auction is conducted under the laws of the State of
Connecticut.
<p>2.) This auction will be held in two parts. Part I (Lots 1-415) will
begin at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, March 29, 2003. Part II (Lots 600-1550) will begin at Noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 2, 2003. However, you may bid at any time prior to the sale dates.
<p>3.) There is a 17.5% Buyer's Premium charged on the final hammer price
of
each lot. Lots purchased through our website (alexautographs.com) or by any other means other than the icollector.com or ebayliveauctions.com bidding service are not subject to this additional fee.
<p>4.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid for any
reason.
<p>5.) The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot for any
reason.
<p>6.) In the event of duplicate high bids, the earliest bid received
will
be the winner.
<p>7.) Some lots may carry a reserve beneath which the item will not be
sold.
<p>8.) Detailed descriptions of lots and photocopies are available upon
request.
<p>9.) Illustrations of lots in this catalog and our web site may have
had
size and/or contrast modifications for display purposes.
<p>10.) Estimated selling prices are for your guidance only. Actual
selling
prices may be higher or lower than the estimate indicated.
<p>11.) The placing of a bid legally binds the bidder to purchase the
lot
at or below the bid placed, plus buyer¹s premium (see item 3). Bids may not be retracted without our approval. Please think before you bid! You are legally bound once you bid.
<p>12.) Absentee Bidding: All bidding is undertaken in a competitive
manner.
The winning bid will always be one bidding increment over the second highest bid. The minimum acceptable bid for any lot is one-half of the low estimate given in the item description or $15.00, whichever is greater. Bidders may call at any time to check the status of their bids. Absentee bids are accepted up to one hour before the start of the auction. Live Bidding: Bids entered during the course of the sale by bidders on the floor, on the phone or live on the internet will be taken at the amount bid.
<p>13.) Payment is expected immediately upon receipt of invoice. All
accounts are payable to Alexander Autographs, Inc. Payment must be made in U.S. funds. Wire transfer details are available upon request. Please note that lots purchased are subject to sales taxes where applicable unless a resale number is filed with us prior to the auction. Invoices not paid within thirty days of the date of invoice will incur a 1.5% per month late payment fee.
<p>14.) Shipment is made via United Parcel Service unless otherwise
instructed. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice.
<p>15.) All material in this sale is guaranteed genuine (unless
otherwise
stated) to the original buyer. Any item sold which is determined to be not authentic by two independent authenticators acceptable to both parties to the sale may be returned by the original buyer at any time for an immediate refund of the purchase price (only).
<p>16.) Items may also be returned if the catalog description differs
significantly from the item¹s actual condition; such returns must be made within three (3) days of purchaser¹s receipt of the lot(s). All returned lots must be in the same condition as shipped. All items are in very good condition unless stated otherwise. Items housed in frames have not been examined outside of the frame. Lots which bear defects or damage not visible because of framing will not be subject to return.
<p>17.) The placing of a bid shall constitute acceptance of the
preceding
terms and conditions of sale. No auction results will be available until APRIL 7, 2003!