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Elmer E. Ellsworth Autograph Letter Signed Together with Francis Brownell Document Twice Signed. ...
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$5,625.00
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Description
Elmer E. Ellsworth Autograph Letter Signed Together with Francis Brownell Document Twice Signed. Set of autographs from two of the Civil War's best-known personalities: Elmer E. Ellsworth and Francis E. Brownell. Includes:Elmer E. Ellsworth Autograph Letter Signed ("E. E. Ellsworth Comdt. Of Cadets"). Two pages of a bifolium, 5" x 8.125", "Cadets Assembly Rooms", Chicago; no date. What appears to be a draft letter addressed to an unknown recipient seeking patronage for a Chicago Hall. The letter contains several intentional gaps, presumably left to allow further information to be filled in later. It reads, in part: "Permit me to call your attention to the claims of the above named Hall for patronage. It is located on the Corner of State and Randolph Sts, undoubtedly the best location in the city as this corner is the starting point for the Horse carts and omnibuses for all parts of the City. The Hall is One hundred foot square and will comfortably seat ___ persons... This is the most complete Hall in the West and will be rented for Lectures Concerts Parties Balls Fairs &c..." With accompanying engraving of Ellsworth. Together with:
Francis E. Brownell Document Twice Signed ("Frank E. Brownell 1st Lt. USA"). One partially printed page, 8.125" x 10.125", St. Louis; February 28, 1867. Attesting that the requisition he is submitting for commutation of quarters for the month of February 1867 is accurate. Docketed. With accompanying engraving titled "Death of Ellsworth" by Johnson, Fry, and Company.
Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, a friend of Abraham Lincoln and the commander of the New York Fire Zouaves, was anxious to be the first to invade the South. On May 24, 1861, the day after Virginia seceded, Ellsworth led his men, uncontested, down the streets of Alexandria. He sent some of his men to take the railroad station while he and a few others went to secure the telegraph office. On the way, he noticed a Confederate flag atop the Marshall House Inn. Ellsworth and four others quickly ascended the stairs and Ellsworth cut down the flag. He was on the way down the stairs when the proprietor, James W. Jackson, killed him with a shotgun blast to the chest, making Ellsworth the first conspicuous casualty and the first Union officer to be killed during the war. Private Francis E. Brownell, who was accompanying Ellsworth, responded by fatally shooting and bayonetting the innkeeper and was immortalized as "Ellsworth's Avenger." After the war, Francis E. Brownell twice put his name forward to receive the Medal of Honor. He succeeded a third time with the help of his congressman and finally received the decoration in 1877. Although sixteen years after the event, his medal marked the first action of the Civil War to merit this high award.
Ellsworth's murder caused a groundswell of patriotic fervor, and President Lincoln eulogized his departed friend and had his body laid in state in the White House. His signature is considered exceedingly scarce.
Condition: Ellsworth ALS with splitting along right edge of three horizontal folds, the largest of which measures .75", and only one of which just touches one letter of text; 1.5" split along bottom of integral fold. Brownell DS lightly wrinkled and creased with .75" closed tear along right edge.
Auction Info
2022 November 10 Manuscripts of the American Revolutionary War and Civil War Signature® Auction #6259 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2022
10th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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