Auction Date:2010 May 20 @ 05:00 (UTC-7 : PDT/MST)
Location:11901 Santa Monica Blvd. #555, Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States
War-dated autograph letter signed by Colonel Elmer Ellsworth just one week before he would become the first well-known casualty of the Civil War. Single page quarto datelined Washington, 16 May 1861, Ellsworth writes to his second-in-command, Lieutenant Colonel Noah L. Farnham, “…Have struck a lead. Am doing a good thing for the boys. Shall have to remain here untill tomorrow 10 O'clock. Have the men pack knapsacks & fall in & commence drilling at precisely 9 O'Clock. Drill by companies. Double the guard. Allow no man to leave the ground. Have the quartermaster meet me at Willards at precisely 8 O'Clock. / Keep things going until I return…” Although the month is not written, we are able to date this letter to May 1861 because Farnham was Ellsworth's immediate subordinate in the New York Fire Zouaves, which was organized in April 1861. The mention of Willard's Hotel places the regiment in Washington. Some fold wear including minor splits, and numerous spots of blotting. Pinned to the letter is a 1” square of light gray fabric, purportedly from the flag that Ellsworth cut down. These were popular souvenirs of the famous incident. Minute chipping to top margin. Excellent condition.
Auction Location:
11901 Santa Monica Blvd. #555, Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States
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