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Former Slave Letter

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 500.00 USD
Former Slave Letter
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
Very good 1865 letter signed with an ''X'' mark by three former slaves, asking to be emancipated now from service in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. Letter dated 22 June 1865 reads in full, ''U.S.S. New 'Era' / Mound City Ills / June 22nd 1865 / Sir, There are three of us attached to this vessel who have been in the Navy from one year to eighteen months over the time for which we understood we were shipped. When we ask for our discharges we are told that we have been set down for the war. The war is now over to all appearance. Will you please allow us to be discharged so that we can see our wives and families from whom we have been some time separated. We are all colored men and formerly slaves. / Very Respectfully / Your Obdt Servants / William Vulcher / Timothy Harvey / Benjamin King''. Letter is signed by what looks like Acting Ensign Schelky, who forwards the letter to Admiral S.P. Lee. With docketing on verso granting their request, ''petition for discharge of Vulcher, Harvey and King (coloured) of USS New Era / Refd to lt Wm Flye (previous officer and captain off USS Monitor) if these men came under different orders that have been given in regard to discharging men. Discharge them and make requisition for others to fill their places. Livingston Commander Naval station Mound City Ills Aug 4th 1865''. Letter has toning and folds, else near fine.