2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
On March 31, 1862, Confederate Represenative from Virginia, William Smith petitioned President Jefferson Davis, with a letter stating “A recent capture of some citizen prisoners from the enemy afford some chances of extricating my son from his imprisonment in Fort Warren. Allow me to call your attention again to this matter deeply interesting to me, and implore again, your interference for my dear son’s extrication...” Davis immediatly responded with a letter to Secretary of War asking him to grant his full co-operation. On April 10, 1862, William Ayres, a prisoner held in Richmond at the Cary Street Citizen’s Prison, wrote Ex-Governor William Smith, on the subject of “procuring the exchange of your son, A.E. Smith, for myself” and setting “forth some of the influences I can bring to accomplish the result...” he then lists several prominent Union government officials that he will recruit to help him in securing the release of Smith’s son, who would later be killed at Gaine’s Mill on June 27, 1862. Smith agreed with this bargain and released Ayres with the following parole: Manuscript Document Signed, “Wm Ayres” 1p. folio, Richmond, April 18, 1862, and reads “I the Undersigned, a citizen of the United States and now a political prisoner in the Confederate States do hereby solemnly pledge my word of honor that I will not by arms, information or otherwise during the existing hostilities between the United States and the Confederate States of America, aid or abe the enemies of the said Confederate States, or any of them in any form or manner whatsoever until released or exchanged. And I further pledge my word of honor that at the expiration of thirty days from this date, viz. Eighteenth day of April 1862, unless I secure the release of A.E. Smith now a prisoner in the United States, I will return to the city of Richmond Va. and report to Genl. Jno. H. Winder.” Signed by William Ayres and future Virginia Govenor William Smith. Mounting strip, else Fine. With supporting documentation.
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.