Auction Date:2010 Jul 14 @ 22:00 (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
Early war-dated ALS signed “R. B. Hayes, Lt. Col 23rd Regt Comdg,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, July 22, 1862. Letter to his commanding officer Eliakim Scammon, asking for artillery and reporting on enemy activity. In part: “I received an order last night to send the section of McMullin’s battery stationed here at Flat Top. It has left. It is rumored that the pieces of the other section now at the ferry, will remain with us to be moved by our men. It has been, I believe, now considered desirable that the piece at the ferry should be kept. If so the had perhaps better be brought here to drill these men in handling them. I would prefer giving them to Capt. McMroth’s Co as…he had some practice with artillery. He thinks this little fragment of a battery will prove a nuisance, but that he shall soon be relieved of it…A cavalry patrol of about ten men, or a picket of the enemy was discovered on the little Blue Stone road yesterday afternoon about two miles beyond our post. If they are there this morning I shall send men to capture or drive them off. I call your attention to the pickets at the first…on Princeton road again. I think they are too far out to be safe or useful.” Intersecting folds, and moderate areas of toning/staining to left side of letter, lightly affecting some portions of text, otherwise very good condition.
By July of 1862, Hayes’ Ohio regiment had been in Virginia for a year, mostly involved in patrols and a few minor skirmishes with Confederate forces as each side probed the lines of the other. One such unit is mentioned here, “a cavalry patrol of about ten men...discovered on the little Blue Stone road yesterday afternoon about two miles beyond our post. If they are there this morning I shall send men to capture or drive them off,” he tells his commander. Two weeks after this letter, Hayes sent a detachment of cavalry mentioned also mentioned here to destroy the Mercer Salt Works. The skirmishes took the unit north to the Battle of Antietam just two months later. This letter reveals an unusual disagreement within the command on military tactics, with Hayes second-guessing his superior about the placement of of pickets. “I think they are too far out to be safe or useful,” he critically tells his superior. Unique insight into the mind of an officer—and future commander-in-chief—dissatisfied with some of the decisions being made.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyer's Premium
A 20% buyer's premium will be added to each winning bid, with a 2% discount for those paying by check, cash, or money order.
Your bid is a contract
Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 353 is due by Monday, January 25, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges.
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
You can call us or email us if you'd like us to answer questions about these items.