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442

Charles ‘Chinese’ Gordon

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Charles ‘Chinese’ Gordon

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Auction Date:2011 Apr 13 @ 19:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Four items: 1) ALS signed “C. G. Gordon,” one page on black-bordered stationery, 5 x 8, March 23, 1872. Gordon writes to Peter Leitch to express his feelings about Leicht leaving. In part: “It is a great mistake and loss to us. Your age would give us at least 10 years more good work and we would gain by your experience….” 2) ALS signed “C. G. Gordon” with his rank, on the adjacent leaf of the letter mentioned above. A letter of recommendation for Leicht. In part: “I can testify to his integrity, zeal and ability in the performance of his duties…. I regret extremely by his leaving the service which he has so well and faithfully acquitted himself….” 3) Unsigned marriage license dated July 27, 1899, between Charles Tye and Harriet Leicht. This certified copy is dated Dec. 30, 1915. Harriet was Peter's widow. 4) Handwritten list of extracts from “Connolly's History of the (Royal Engineer) Royal Sapper and Miners” and “General Porters' History of the Corps of Royal Engineers,” on Royal Engineer Horseguard official letterhead with an embossed seal. The excerpts are about the construction of a battery: “The added work was partly constructed in the day under fire as was also the laying of the platforms—Corporal Peter Leicht promoted to Sergeant (was the principal officer in charge of the huts sent from this country to the Armied; and severely wounded in the assault on the Redan on 8. Sept. 1855)….” Also mentioned is the Siege of Sebastopal: “The Carpenters, 16 in number were chosen men under Leitch, the master carpenter of the night attack, who had been daily in the trenches from the end of June. With energy never before surpassed they laid 4 gun platforms in No. 22.” Colonel Leicht received the Victoria Cross on June 18, 1856, for gallant deeds performed during the eventful siege: “When after approaching it with the leading ladders, [Leicht] formed a Caponniere across the ditch, as well as a ramp, by fearlessly tearing down gabions from the parapet, and placing them, and filling them until he was disabled from wounds.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds to letters (partial separations reinforced by linen backing; vertical fold through each signature), soiling, and handling wear.

In 1854, Gordon successfully persuaded Britain’s War Officer to post him to the Crimea, despite his parents' efforts to keep him in England. Gordon was in his element in the Crimea, where his first task involved building winter quarters for the troops. Once he completed this task, he managed to get a dangerous frontline job mapping the Russian trenches, which required him to look over a parapet and then draw what he could see. Many young engineer officers were killed doing this, and Gordon was surprised—and somewhat disappointed—that he wasn’t among the victims. He was also present at the siege of Sebastopol, and was decorated for bravery by the French and mentioned in dispatches by the British for his bravery during this action. As noted, Colonel Leicht received the Victoria Cross for his heroism, with his prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum.
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