Raynors HCA 2016-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/17/2016
A most unusual war-date former slave's phonetic letter, 1p. 4to., written by Tobias Longfellow, Knoxville, Tenn., February 14, 1865 calling attention to numerous Confederate sympathizers occupying Knoxville, reading, in part: "I take my pen to…let you know how things are doing down here…I have been for a long time [under] suspicion that things were not all right…last week I seen a man a hollering for Lee & Jeff Davis and other vagabonds of a similar character. If you will come down here…I will point out this man to you so that he may be punished for his sins…I also heard a man a showing off a Sesh flag out on his own window…all I now have to say is that we ned persons down here…awful bad & the sooner you come the better. Respectfully, Tobias Longfellow." Longfellow's phonetic spelling has been corrected. Apparently this letter reached Union army headquarters where clerks decided to chronicle a mocking, derogatory response to the letter's claims, reading, in part: "Head Qrs. Depot of Africa, April 5, 1865. Respectfully referred to Col. W. W. Heston…for investigation and report-in order that the parties herein referred…may be speedily brought to an untimely end. By command of Maj. Genl. J. C. Savage…Office of the Inspector Genl., Cincinnati, Ohio, April 11th 1865…respectfully returned to Maj. Genl. James. C. Savage…on receipt of this…of inordinacy movements in East Tenn. I reported same to Maj. Genl. Joe Hooker who placed at my disposal for the arrest of said Tobias and his entire gang (for he was fully convinced that it would "redound to the interest of the public service") a squad the Invalid Corps d Afrique all stout able bodied, healthy invalids capable of enduring any amount of subsistence and cast iron "stomata's". Indeed a formidable host…the squad had proceeded no further than to Newport when the telegram announcing the surrender of Genl. Lee and his army was received. Their patriotism knew no bounds-in short they became drunk. The officer in command endeavored to check the spontaneous flow of bourbon and met with a disaster-was shot "in the neck". A surgeon who examined him and is "as reliable a man as I am" reports he is slowly improving but that he will have a amputate him. The result is first came has proven a signal and glorious failure. The matter will be properly investigated and if the officers to whom the work was entrusted are found guilty they will all be recommended for promotion-as a warning to subordinates. Any such cases as this please report at once. The exigencies of the case demand prompt and united action. Report immediately…all cases of military "furkin" or "murkin" coming under your observation. Very Resp. Will W. Heston. Genl. & a. u. g." Minor staining, else VG. Very unusual and a first for us.
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