LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74275

Cased Ambro of CSA Surgeon Caldwell's Wife Mary

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Cased Ambro of CSA Surgeon Caldwell's Wife Mary
<B>Cased Ambrotype of Confederate Surgeon Major Samuel Houston Caldwell's Wife Mary- Carried By Him Throughout the War.</B></I> This 1/9th plate ambrotype of Mary Thompson Caldwell was carried in this elaborate leather case by Confederate Surgeon Major Samuel Houston Caldwell throughout the Civil War. Caldwell rode with the famed Confederate cavalryman General Nathan Bedford Forrest and wrote many letters home to his beloved wife back in Paris, Tennessee. <BR><BR>A copy of a Tiptonville newspaper concerning his letters is included with this ambrotype. In the letters he writes about the siege at Island Number 10 on the Mississippi. He also tells of camp life and of how homesick he is for Paris, Tennessee and his wife and of how he cannot take leave until “they have this fight at New Madrid” referring to a nearby town where the Confederates would eventually fight before retreating to Island Number 10 where they were captured. He misses his wife so much that, in one of his letters published in the newspaper, he writes that if it were not for his wife to come home to, “I would not care much if one of Abe's balls did get me”. <BR><BR>This photograph survived the war as did Caldwell who returned to his home to build a family and a medical practice. He remained active in Confederate reunion groups, collecting mementoes from the war and elaborate reunion medals and printed programs of the events. This cased photograph of his wife was one of his most treasured possessions. It is in excellent condition with its leather case that folds out to reveal the well-protected photograph, complete with its functional metal clasp.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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