Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
Union soldier's war-date letter by Sergeant Albinus Fell, Co. "D," 6th Ohio Cavalry, signed "Sixteenstring Jack," 4pp., 8vo, "Frederick city, Maryland," July, 8, 1863, to "Lydia," n.p., reading, in part: "…we hope in a few days to annihilate Lees whole army all our movements are successful so far to surround his army…I went to see the spy hanging yesterday and he had been string up about 36 hours and is hanging there yet and will hang until he stinks. It's a free show to any one that wants to see him his clothes are all torn off but a piece of his drawers and shirt almost every one that saw him wants something to Remember him by so took a piece of his clothes as long as he had any. I send you a piece of the Bark of the tree he was hung on (it's a locust tree) His name is Wm. Richardson…I have seen him in our camps for the Last 18 months as a paper peddler…" The spy in question, William Richardson, was married with children and from Baltimore. A Baltimore Sun news brief from July 10, 1863 recounts his execution and states that he was found with papers from Confederate General Ewell, including a personal endorsement. This lot includes a copy of Sergeant Fell's service record and a modern enlargement of a tintype showing the sergeant in uniform. A few light stains, else very good condition.
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