NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2016 Jan 05 @ 20:00UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
Three fascinating, lengthy postwar A.Ls.S. of Confederate Lt. W(illiam) H. Sebring, previously of 2nd Tenn. Infantry and 10th Kentucky Cavalry. A remarkable story, culminating in the successful search for his unmarked grave - 83 years later. Wounded in the stomach, Sebring transferred to the Confederate Secret Service, becoming part of their shadowy but dangerous network of spies and saboteurs operating in the Mississippi River valley, and carrying military dispatches from the War Dept. in Richmond. Captured in July 1863, apparently at Jacksonport, Ark., he was tried as a spy and condemned to be shot. Sebring made a daring escape days later, filtering through Federal lines to Richmond. Elected Mayor of Jacksonville in a 1907 landslide, he was credited with making it the "Park City of the South," and was Pres. of the first Florida Exposition-Fair held there in 1909. From Jacksonville, July 22, Aug. 3 and 25, 1905, 8 1/4 x 10 3/4, 7 pp. in all, boldly penned in brown on his cream letterhead. Also signed twice more with initials, once in pencil, and once in ink. To William M. Shaw, Sherman, Texas, in the midst of building a massive Civil War autograph collection (the first installment appearing in Section 6 of this catalogue). With three envelopes, supplied by Shaw.
"I was greatly surprised to learn of Charley Finley's indifference to your request. After searching through about 200 letters I found 3 from my dear old friend, Gen. Jessey J. Finley (many others that I had have been lost)...I knew him from my Boyhood. I telephoned ex-Gov. F.P. Fleming on receipt of your letter & he says he will try & get me the address of Gen. W.W. Loring's nieces...Not a single Congressman or Sen. from Florida in the Confederate Congress alive (Sen. Maxwell the last in Fla. & last in Senate from South...) died two years ago. His son Judge E.C. Maxwell of Pensacola can give you a sketch of his grand old Father's life, for Sen. Maxwell was one of God's Great good & true Gen. Judge R. Fenwick Taylor of Tallahassee can give you data regarding Judge Jas. B. Dawkins (his brother-in-law) who was a member of the Confederate Congress. Ex-Gov. W.D. Bloxham of Tallahassee can give you information regarding Judge Hilton, another member of Confederate Congress. Gen. Robt. Bullock of Ocala can give you history of St. George Rogers... member of Confederate Congress...I have looked over a list of papers I have & find that Judge James M. Baker of this City was the other Confederate Sen...My good wife & self can give you quite a history of our lives & adventures from 1861 to 5...." * "I would to God that more of our young men of the South were imbued with the spirit that you manifest. By far too many of the rising generation do not hold the memories of their Fathers & Grandfathers in as great reverance as they should & seem but too ready to excuse the course pursued by their fathers & the people of the South. I will go to my grave proud of the humble part I bore in that great & un-equal struggle & I have with my good old wife always taught our children to love and venerate a Confederate Soldier and the lost Confederacy. You can keep Gen. Finley's letter. I have another...I would greatly prize the book by Southern Pacific R.R. containing Autographs of prominent Men of the South...I know Maj. George R. Fairbanks of Fernandina (Florida's Historian) can give you much information...." * "...You are in error regarding the Forney's living and dying here. Gen. Wm. H. Forney of C.S.A., & after the war Member of Congress lived & died at Jacksonville, Ala....I would greatly prize a copy of the 'Returned Battle Flags.' 'See Lot 2-9.] I did not go to reunion at Louisville...."
Ink erosion along one fold of first letter, affecting several words, mousechew at lower right tip of two leaves, barely touching one letter, else fine. Modern research accompanies, including copy of 2009 newspaper article on discovery of his grave, and account of the harrowing escape by Sebring and cohorts from prison. "...What Sebring was really up to during the war is quite another story. 'What we had planned to do makes my blood run cold,' one of his comrades commented years later. An odd event late in Sebring's life caused him to leave a paper trail..."--Review of Spies of the Mississippi, at civilwarstlouis.com. The arduous assembly by Shaw of his Civil War autograph collection - and its survival to the present day - are enduring evidence of the powerful sentiments expressed in these letters. Letters of Confederate spies, especially lengthy ones with rich content reflecting the core of Confederate convictions, are understandably rare. (7 pcs.)
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| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
10,000.00 |
20.5% |
| 10,000.00 |
18,000.00 |
18% |
| 18,000.00 |
Infinite |
16% |
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Cohasco, Inc. has been in business for 69 years, originally in lower Manhattan, and presently in Yonkers, located on the New York City line.
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