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H.B. Adams in Texas. Archive of 37 item

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:700.00 USD Estimated At:1,400.00 - 1,800.00 USD
H.B. Adams in Texas. Archive of 37 item
H.B. Adams in Texas. Archive of 37 items of former Confederate officer H.B. Adams, 1869-1888, as the firm of Adams & Wicker in San Antonio, Texas. His two terms as Captain with Georgia Volunteer Infantry, in Ramsey's unit, as Assistant Q.M. from 1861-62, and then as Q.M. and Major in 1864 were noted in the Journal of the Confederate Congress, the first such mention at the same time as their amendment of the act of organization of the Army of the Confederate States. Adams' Quartermaster contacts were still much in evidence in these postwar years. Many of the 22 letters, 2 telegrams, 6 legal documents, and 7 other items reflect his influence. The eleven A.Ls.S. in the years 1869-75 are from officers to him, on such subjects as: endorsing Adams as a supplier of material to three different forts in Texas, selection of Adams as President of the newly-formed Pacific & Great Eastern Railroad, requisition of clothing at Ringgold Barracks (the wording suggests collusion between Gen. Reynolds, Adj. Gen. Henry Clay Wood, and Adams), a 3 1/2pp. A.L.S. to Adams on how to prepare a telegram in cypher, giving him "secret" details; Lt. Haskins at Ft. Sam Houston (who was appointed to West Point by Gen. Grant) asks for Adams' influence; Adams is chosen as Captain of the Alamo Rifle Company, but subsequently sends his A.L.S. declining the post, and more. Except for four items between 1900 and 1924, the remainder of the archive ranges from 1869 to 1888. The letters are well written, some on official letterheads, such as 5th Military District, Austin; Depot Q.M., San Antonio; Custom House, Corpus Christi; Centennial Saloon, San Antonio, providing an "Election List." Total of 45 pp., many in dark manuscript, in a schooled hand. Of particular interest are documents in connection with an Indian raid on a shipment of animals being transported for the U.S. Army by Adams & Wicker. Wicker is variously spelled as Wickes and Wicks. The accompanying material of banks, Confederate Veteran, Medical Director's Office, and agreement between "State of Texas and County of Cameron." Condition good to very fine. An atmosphere of "behind the scenes" dealing in a formative period in Texas.