Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
A great early war-date Confederate officer's wife's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Mrs. Laurence W. O'Bannon, Millwood, Ala, April 1, 1861 addressed to her cousin concerning her husband's resignation from the U. S. Army in order to join the Confederate cause, in part: "…probably the papers have informed you of my husband's resignation from the "United States Army" and his appointment as a captain in the "United Confederate States Army." We were 20 days traveling as rapidly as possible from Fort Clark, Texas to Montgomery, Ala. In a hour's time Capt. O'Bannon had called on the Sec. of War, Mr. Walker and received his appointment as capt. and was assured his name would be presented for a capts' quarter mastership which Capt. O'Bannon desired; but those appointments…will not be made for several weeks. Capt. O'Bannon was at the same time put on duty…at Pensacola, Fla., Fort Barrancas and was told he would have 5 million of dollars worth of property under his charge and was asked for securities. He told them that he would ask the state of South Carolina to stand security for him, but he thought that his having sacrificed almost entirely his private property to join immediately the Southern Army should be taken in consideration. They said it would. Capt. O'Bannon remained in Montgomery 2 days to rest and then left me for Fort Barrancas, Fla. March 25 and I am staying at his sister's Mrs. Myers 11 miles from the Capitol on the opposite side of the Alabama river. There is no regular mail yet arranged…Sallie had a hard cry when I told her her papa was going away and last night she asked if he was dead. I said no. She replied "Then why does he stay away from me….ever yours, Mary O'Bannon…". Minor spotting, else VG.
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.