Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47019

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47019

John S. "Rip" Ford Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages of a bifolium, 8 x 10 inches, San Antonio; September 20, 1896. Ford writes one year before his death to Captain John J. Dix, Jr. Near the end of his life, Ford reflects on the value of their friendship, discusses writing about the Battle of Palmito Ranch, family, and politics.

A note by Ford in the top margin reads: "Read this first yourself, and then judge whether it ought to be all shown to any one else / Rip."

He thanks Dix for having sent "the letter of Gen. Slaughter. I shall keep until I can ascertain whether it forms a part of my article on the last fight of the war. If that letter appears then I may send yours back..." Ford often wrote about the Battle of Palmito Ranch and emphasized it was fought after the formal surrender and that Confederate forces had won. Setting the record straight about how events unfolded and why, was an important focus of much of his post-war writing.

He then goes on to write about Dix's family and their long-standing friendship: "As I am now in the 'sere and yellow leaf' of life I do not anticipate seeing the young Dixes after they have attained manhood. One thing I can say safely, I appreciate my name-sake and his family, and am always glad to hear from them. As to the Viejo Dix, we have been thrown together so often; have been associated in some right ugly affairs; have never even quarrelled [sic], or entertained bad feelings for each other, and have entertained for each other that friendship which never wanes - the devotion of one soldier for another. Time and circumstances make frequent changes, but they are powerless to break the friendship one soldier bears to another."

Turning to politics, Ford briefly discusses his opinions on readopting the silver standard before telling Dix about a job offer he recently received:

"Many can not positively know we can provide for the day coming. I was in that unenviable position when a gentleman I had befriended somewhat in the days, when men's sentiments frequently got them into trouble. I was in Brownsville in 1865. So was he. We were in Fort Brown. He expressed some Union utterances, which I did not notice...He said 'you paid no attention to what had just been said.' He is now rich in the goods of this world. I, as instructed, called at his place yesterday. He offered employment for two months, adding 'Then we will talk further.' He proposed to make my pay ninety dollars per month. I accepted. Where is the rich Confederate who has done as much?"

Ford then closes his letter by telling Dix that his family is in good health. Signed, "Rip."

An annotation by Dix at the end suggests he has shared Ford's letters for posterity: "Read & copy any or all the letters I send you / no one else has ever seen them I prize all of them / this especially / Dix."

Condition: Somewhat toned with smoothed folds. Separations at the integral fold, touching text on pages two and three but not affecting legibility. A bit of loss at Dix's note on page three, just touching text.

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