Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good collection of four pre-war letters, totaling 11pp. various size letter sheets, written between May 1859 and July 1860 concerning Moore's travels throughout Virginia while on business. Detailed oriented, Moore gives us a good description of the numerous places and people he visited including seeing the battlefield of Craney Island, Portsmouth, Virginia where infamous British Rear Admiral George Cockburn (best remembered for burning the city of Washington) was defeated by Virginia's militia during the War of 1812. His May 19, 1859 letter written from Norfolk, reads, in small part: "…we had a delightful sail down [the] James River, a most noble stream which from a narrow river at Richmond, gradually widens, until…it spreads its waters so far from shore that you can see nothing but a fringe of wood on either bank…passing near Old Point Comfort, the Rip Raps, and the two capes…not in sight except with a spy glass which the captain loaned me. We steamed up Elizabeth River, past Craney Island where a battle was fought in the last war between the [English] fleet and our troops…in which the enemy were driven back…Uncle Ben Davenport (Shannon's father) took a prominent part in the fight…the infamous British Admiral [George] Cockburn boasted that he would breakfast at Gosport, dine at Portsmouth and sup at Norfolk on the day of the engagement, but before breakfast he endeavored to pass the Island…and met with such a warm reception…that he was glad to get away…when I reached here I stopped at the National Hotel…was waited on by Mr. Rodman (the minister of Christ Church)…Mr. Whittle is a retired lawyer and seems to be a man of wealth from the beauty of his residence and his fine style of living…Rev. Mr. Brown pulled me out of the bed at 5 1/2 oclk this morning by the beard to got to 6 oclk prayer meeting…". Each letter is boldly signed "Saml. J. C. Moore." Overall VG with slight paper loss effecting the May 19, 1859 letter.
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