LOT #47128 |
Sold on Sep 25, 2024 for: Not Sold
Boston Corbett Autograph Letter Signed. ...
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Description
Lincoln's Avenger writes to his captain asking for help in collecting his share of the reward for the capture and killing of John Wilkes Booth
Boston Corbett Autograph Letter Signed. Four pages of a
bifolium, 5" x 8"; New York; September 9, 1865. Corbett writes to
Edward P. Doherty, captain of the detachment of cavalry that was
tasked with capturing John Wilkes Booth and David E. Herold after
the assassination of President Lincoln. Corbett's letter reads in
full:"I called to see you at camp the Morning that you went to Fairfax, but not finding you. I concluded to Write when I got home. Before leaving Washington I went to Mr Johnson at the Firm (card enclosed) asking him to take up he case for me, and look after my Interest in the Reward, but he told me he had seen a Man by the Name of Wirtz, in the same business as himself who told him that the case had been placed in his hands for the entire party. If you have placed it in the hands of Wirtz I will not interfere by getting any one else. But if that is not correct, I should be glad to see if put into the hands of Mr Johnson and his partners As I have confidence in him knowing him to be a Christian. I called on Judge Holt, before leaving; he told me that before any Report could be made he desired to Consult Secretary Stanton about One point. I told him that I had no More Money to spend waiting in Washington and should be obliged to return home and endeavor to Work at My Trade as had done before. So the Case stands at present I have Not engaged any-one to look after it. And perhaps it is not necessary to do so. But I hope you will be enabled to See to it When they do get ready and Report. I have enjoyed a very pleasant time at the Navy yard before leaving Washington at the house of Mr Wilmuth who received [me] with great kindness; known there Mrs Thompson Mr Wilmuth's daughter spoke much about you, and indeed I was glad to hear what she told me; for I did not know So Much good of your before.
I always liked to go on a Scout with you for I liked your Way of doing business. But she gave me a good Account of you indeed. And I hope you will go and Call on them for they want to See you very much.
Give my kindest Regards, and Warmest Thanks, and Say that I am at home and getting along Bully.
Good bye dear Sir and forgive my seeming want of Respect; for it is not really felt, For I do esteem all My Old Company Officers very highly I assure you, and think the Record of the Regt. would have been better than it is, if all the other officers had been as good as My own.
Most Respectfully / Boston Corbett."
Corbett was one of 25 cavalrymen of the 16th New York Infantry, led by Doherty, who pursued Booth and Herold. On April 26, 1865, they tracked the assailants to Garrett's farm in Virginia. Booth and Herold took refuge in a barn, which was set ablaze to force them to surrender. Although they were ordered to take him alive, Corbett fatally shot Booth claiming that he had been directed by Providence.
Booth's shooting was witnessed by a civilian remembered only as "Uncle Moses." He shared his account with many reporters and referred to Corbett as "Lincoln's Avenger." A reward of $100,000 was given to be shared by all who participated in the capture of Booth and Herold, but it was not immediately paid. Corbett had limited means and returned to New York where he wrote this letter to his former Captain. He would not receive his share of the reward for another 11 months. He received a total of $1,653.85. Corbett attempted to collect bounties from other states but was generally unsuccessful.
Autograph material by Corbett is scarce, and this letter is exceptionally desirable as it specifically speaks to his role in the killing of John Wilkes Booth. It last appeared at auction in 1988.
Condition: Flattened folds, with small separations occurring at the margins and two points of paper loss along the integral fold. Toning, with stray foxing and staining. Paper chip at bottom right corner of the first sheet. Rust marks from a paper clip at the top of the first page. Small holes along top margin and base of integral fold.
Reference: "Whatever Became of Boston Corbett?" Civil War Times, May/June 1991.
Provenance: Swann Galleries.
Auction Info
2024 September 25 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6305 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2024
25th
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