July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
A historically important group of eleven early war-date documents and letters related to the formation of the 1st and 2nd New Hampshire Vols. from the personal archive of New Hampshire Governor Icahbod Goodwin. Included in the group are documents that deal with New Hampshire's responsibility for providing for and properly organizing the first volunteers who answered their state's call to arms along with an executive council document that allowed the governor to gather appropriations. These first New Hampshire went to the front as three month volunteers, fighting at the battle of 1st Bull Run while the 2nd served three years in the Army of the Potomac fighting on the Peninsula with McClellan and at the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. The first two letters recommend future brevet brigadier general FRANK S. FISKE (1825-1907) for high military position. Fiske got his wish and was appointed lieutenant colonel in the 2nd New Hampshire on April 30, 1861 and resigned his commission after the bloody battle of Antietam in late 1862. FIRST is a 3pp letter written by Republican Congressman THOMAS M. EDWARDS (1795-1875), Keene, [N. H.], April 23, 1861, in part: "…Mr. Frank S. Fisk is interesting himself…in the preparation…by this state for complying with the call of the genl. govt. and is ready to give his personal services in the field. He very naturally desires a good place…and a great many friends of his…think he deserves it…his wish would be a position in which he can acquire reputation while he shall be useful…allow me to say…he would make a…gallant and able officer…". SECOND is a 3pp. letter written by James W. Emery, Boston, April 16, 1861, in part; "…our fiend F. N. Fiske Esq. and he wished me to write you and recommend him as a proper person to be appointed Adjutant General of New Hampshire in case Gen. [Joseph C.] Abbott should resign…". Abbott did resign and helped organize the 7th New Hampshire becoming that regiment's lieutenant colonel. THIRD is a partly-printed 12mo. telegram by the "American Telegraph Company", Portsmouth, [N. H.], April 19, 1861 sent from New York City firm Lines, Chase & Company offering Gov. Goodwin their services should any New Hampshire regiment require it while passing through New York City. FORTH is a printed 4to. circular entitled: "THE STATE of NEW-HAMPSHIRE", April 29, 1861 signed in type by Icahbod Goodwin, in part: "AT A MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL…the following action was taken…whereas the President of the United States has…called upon the State of New-Hampshire for a Regiment of Militia…for the purpose of quelling insurrection…WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, do advise His Excellency…to borrow…a sum not exceeding One Hundred Thousand Dollars, at the lowest rates of interest…not exceeding six per cent per annum…". FIFTH is a printed 4to. circular entitled: "CAMP CONSTITUTION" Portsmouth, May 4, 1861, being "General Order No. 1. ORDER OF THE DAY" setting daily and military standards for the volunteers were to become soldiers at Portsmouth recruitment camp. Signed in type by Brigadier General George Stark and Oliver W. Lull who would be KIA at Port Hudson, La., on May 27, 1863. Small stain with negligible paper loss at top. SIXTH is a manuscript oblong 8vo., copy telegram sent by General Winfield Scott, Washington, May 20, 1861 ordering Col. Mason W. Tappan, 1st New Hampshire to send his regiment to Washington at once. SEVENTH is a 1p. copy order by Col. Tappan, Camp Union, Concord, May 21, 1861 being special order No. 13 to Lieut. [Richard N.] Batchelder, in part: "…you will have the camp equipage, tents, wagons, officers horses…in readiness at that time to move without delay…". EIGHT is a 2pp. letter on "STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE Adjutant General's Office" stationery, written by future 17th New Hampshire Colonel Henry O. Kent, Portsmouth, May 23, 1861, in part: "331 men enlisted for three years at the Barracks yesterday, the number will reach 400 today with probably 100 at the fort. This will make 500 in all…so as this enlistment is completed, all the three years men, be placed in the barracks and all the 3 mo's men at the Fort…the three years men…may then be ordered in at once & the organization of the regiment may be perfected…a list of those companies…would prevent confusion…I have written…to the Adjt. Genl. a suggestion similar to the above…". NINE is a militia officer's letter, 1p. 8vo., written by Colonel Julian Ally, New York, June 7, 1861 to New Hampshire Governor Icahbod Goodwin, in part: "…give me a letter of introduction to the Secretary of War…in order to induce Mr. Cameron to accept my regiment…the President is willing to give me authority to organize it in Washington to avoid the jealousy of the states…if Cameron will accept it make your letter as strong as you please…". TEN is a 1p. 8vo. copy letter by Gov. Goodwin, Portsmouth, May 20, 1861 to Portsmouth Navy Yard Commandant Capt. G. F. Pearson, in part: "I take the liberty to enclose an order…from [the] sec. of Navy…you have been kind enough to comply with all wants for defense without waiting for the order…". Finally, ELEVEN is a 1p. 8vo. copy letter by Gov. Goodwin, Concord, [n. d.] to Rev. Henry E. Parker, in part: "After consultation with many of our Concord friends. I have concluded to invite the Legislature to attend an Election sermon…I have the pleasure to write you to deliver the sermon…I hope my dear sir you will not decline…". All VG to near fine unless stated.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.