LOT #40202 |
Sold on Dec 6, 2020 for: Not Sold
Johnson's Island Prison on Lake Erie: Confederate Major George McKnight writes to one of his admirers. McKnight pen name was "...
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Description
Johnson's Island Prison on Lake Erie: Confederate Major George McKnight writes to one of his admirers. McKnight pen name was "Asa Hartz" and he performed with the Rebel Thespians in prison.George McKnight served as Major and AAG on the staff of Maj. Gen. Loring until he was captured on July 19, 1863 near Hazelhurst, Mississippi, and sent to Johnson's Island where he remained over a year. Few prisoners, North or South, were able to see any humor in their predicament, but "Asa Hartz" made it his mission to entertain and bring smiles to the faces of fellow prisoners. Not only prisoners, but the Rebel Thespians would invite citizens living in nearby Sandusky to attend their performances. His play "The Battle of Gettysburg" enjoyed a lengthy run on Johnson's Island.
McKnight was married prior to the war, but in May 1863 just before his capture, his wife had been killed by Union Iowa soldiers at Jackson, Mississippi. Much of his poetic verse talked about her and other fair maidens. He was much admired by Southern women as his verses appeared in many Southern newspapers. No doubt he spent much time writing his admirers, an example of which is this letter.
The letter is three pages in ink written in a beautiful hand. It is headed "Military Prison, Johnson's Isle, Nov. 19, 1863." It is addressed to "My Dear Madam." McKnight first explains about a surprise that he had. "On Sunday night last while conversing with some of my companions in misery, in a tone of voice fully as clear as I ever possessed, I suddenly lost all power of articulation. Much alarmed, I instantly made known my condition to my friends, who of course, could not render me any assistance. I remained this way - except that I could speak in a low whisper - until about an hour ago - four days and one night - when my voice was suddenly returned to me."
He then comments on a mutual acquaintance, her son Capt. Ed Hansen of the 3rd Louisiana Infantry and states "I do not write it to flatter a fond mother's heart when I say that "Old Blizzard" (Maj. Gen. William Loring) had not in his whole command one who more richly deserved promotion than the Captain. He is not only ever ready for any duty pertaining to his position, but very prompt in its execution."
Other interesting lines from that letter:
"You must know, Madam, that the wild and almost uncivilized life of a soldier is a very severe test of a young man's morals, and that it is very difficult, especially for a staff officer, to keep himself free from at least some of the social vices which cannot be shaken from the mess table or camp fire; and yet I feel proud to say that he has kept himself aloof from them all. He is one of the few I have met with since I entered the service in whose moral training has been too deeply inculcated to be eradicated by vicious association or example."
"It is very sad to think of the vast amount of our best blood which has flowed to feed the demon of this horrid war. God grant that it may soon end."
"P S. I have another favor to ask of you. Have you a lady friend who owns a superannuated but highly respectable old guitar that she has cast aside? If so, please, Madam, show to her this postscriptum, and beg her to send it to me. Tell her that by so doing she will have the felicity of knowing that she is relieving the ennui of a poor Reb who has taken a very great fancy to learn that instrument, but who has been deprived of the one he borrowed by recent changes in the prison."
"I am sincerely your obt. servt. Geo. McKnight Maj."
The letter is in fine condition and comes with photocopies of many of McKnight's "verses." From the Calvin Packard Civil War Battlefield Letter Collection.
Auction Info
2020 December 6 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature Auction - Dallas #6229 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2020
6th
Sunday
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