Skip to main content
Go to accessibility notice
Home / Historical / 2007 December Civil War Auction Auction #674 / Lot #72129
    LOT #72129  | 
    Sold on Dec 1, 2007 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    BATTLE OF BULL RUN - GEORGE DONNELLAN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 1861....

    Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
    Military & Patriotic:Civil War, BATTLE OF BULL RUN - GEORGE DONNELLAN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 1861....
    Sold on Dec 1, 2007 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

    View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
    Claim Item:
    Track Item Share this lot

    Sell One of These Currency Converter

    Description

    BATTLE OF BULL RUN - GEORGE DONNELLAN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, 1861. ALS of Confederate Spy George Donnellan. One page, plain lined paper, 7.75" x 9.75", at W. B. Matthews House, July 14, 1861 (one week before Bull Run). In full: "I shall endeavor to establish a line of communication between my destination and your Headquarters in Va. Should any sealed dispatch be handed into your possession without any superscription, and as coming from me, you will please address the same (after satisfying yourself of the contents) to Genl G.T.B. [General P.G.T. Beauregard] Manassa Junction, and have it carried through by the shortest & quickest time. With much respect Yrs G. Donnellan". Donnellan was in the same Washington-based spy ring as Rose O'Neal Greenhow that was managed by Beauregard aide Thomas Jordan. Donnellan was used to carry messages between Greenhow, Jordan, and Beauregard including information on troop movements that Jefferson Davis later credited as the reason for the Confederate victory at First Bull Run. Greenhow and other of her associates were arrested shortly after Bull Run by Allan Pinkerton but Donnellan, with the Confederate Army, escaped capture. A rare letter with excellent content and a compelling date.

    Condition:     Mailing folds with some weakness, a tiny bit of ink "burn-through", else fine.

    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    December, 2007
    1st Saturday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 1,391

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.

    Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
    Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information

    Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

    Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms

    Viewing at %
    Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
    Fit to screen View Full Size Brightness
    Sold on Dec 1, 2007 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Sold on Dec 1, 2007 for: Sign-in or Join (free & quick)
    Track Item
    Coming soon:

    US Coins
    Opens about 02/26/2021

    Sports Collectibles
    Opens about 03/04/2021

    Luxury Real Estate
    Opens about 01/22/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/03/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Movie Posters
    Opens about 03/05/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 03/12/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/07/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/17/2021

    Comics & Comic Art
    Opens about 03/19/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 03/18/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/08/2021

    Jewelry & Timepieces
    Opens about 02/24/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 03/19/2021

    Musical Instruments
    Opens about 03/23/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/23/2021

    Photography
    Opens about 03/24/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 03/26/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/16/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 03/26/2021

    Historical
    Opens about 03/29/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/21/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 04/02/2021

    Currency
    Opens about 04/02/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 03/31/2021

    Fine Art
    Opens about 04/01/2021

    US Coins
    Opens about 03/22/2021

    World & Ancient Coins
    Opens about 03/28/2021

    Decorative Art
    Opens about 04/06/2021

    Heritage membership

    Join Now - It's Free

    VIEW BENEFITS
    1. Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
    2. Bid online
    3. Free Collector newsletter
    4. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
    5. Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
      winnings 
    Consign now
    • Cash Advances
    • More Bidders
    • Trusted Experts
    • Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
    Consign to the 2021 September 25 - 26 Americana & Political Signature Auction - Dallas.

    Learn about consigning with us

    Heritage has gone above and beyond my expectations in handling all of my transactions in a thoroughly professional manner. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone worldwide for the exemplary auction and valuation services they provide.
    Richard H.,
    Corsicana, TX
    View More Testimonials

    HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)

    Video tutorial

    Getting the most out of search