Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a clear ambrotype of a triple-armed Pierce taken as sergeant some time during the first year of his service. Accompanying the image is an insightful 4 pp letter dated Oct 26, 1863 written and signed by Pierce to his physician brother together with two shorter letters from father to children penned in October 1864. Tying everything together and establishing provenance is a later 19th century penciled note written by an anonymous descendant that reads, This letter written 1863 from Va./during the Civil War by Edwin R. Pierce/your grandfather—to his brother in/law who married his sister Emmaline. The ambrotype shows Pierce seated before a flag wearing a New York jacket with his musket, NCO sword and belted Savage revolver.
The long letter written in Camp Near Warrenton, Va. describes the previous summer’s marching and fighting battles as up and down, hither and thither through the land comparing it to that fascinating game (to boys) of tag. Pierce writes of Rebel marauders tearing up railroad track…and bending said rails into mammoth corkscrews. He is convinced that the Rebel Army of Virginia is in a bad condition based on information gleaned from prisoners taken by us (not the common hand, but men of position and education). He relates that Virginian’s are simply kept under Rebel rule by their sense of pride and that the people are starving, still the Rebels fight with desperation worthy of a better cause. As a veteran of the Army of the Potomac, Pierce laments that the removal of Meade is being agitated and that command changes are a fearful drawback to the Union cause. He blames that pack of Wolves in Washington as from Richmond itself. Pierce signs the letter as lst Lieut. Commanding Co.B.
To his children in October 1864 he writes of building quarters for the guards at Point Lookout, Maryland and describes the massive prisoner of war compound many thousands of whom are crowded together in a large field enclosed by a fence 12 feet high.
Edwin Pierce had enlisted as a private in June 1861 and was mustered out with the regiment in July 1864 as captain. The 42nd New York was a 2nd Corps outfit that was baptized at Seven Pines. The regiment fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the early battles of Grant’s Overland campaign, losing an aggregate of 152 men killed and wounded.
Condition: Plate VG., slightly oxidized with lesser clarity; housed in a complete composition case with patriotic motif. Letters VG. with folds, no covers.
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
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Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
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Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
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