September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
Pair of war-date Autograph Letters Signed and addressed to Captain Hugh M. Nelson, 6th Virginia Cavalry who was WIA at Cold Harbor 6/26/62 and made Aide to General Ewell before dying of typhoid fever in August 1862, pertaining to a request by the widow Malvina Ashby that her 16-year old son George Ashby be discharged from the Confederate 6th Virginia Cavalry, and the rebuttal of her request by bondsman James Bartlett who hired 16-year old George to serve in his stead as a substitute, but before this was legal in the Confederate States of America. Includes: Autograph Letter Signed by Malvina Ashby, 1pp. quarto, March 22, 1862, addressed to Captain Hugh M. Nelson, and reads in part: "...I sit down to write you a few lines concerning my son George as I am not satisfied with his pay I thought he was to get the state pay, but he says not in the Article of Agreement he gets nothing but the bounty and thirty dollars a month...I thought that Mr. Bartlett would of done a better part by George than that knowing that I was a poor widow woman and stood in need of all I could get for him. I was not willing for him to go and then for him to not make anything. I think you had better send him home and let Mr. Bartlett go in his own place..." Fine condition...plus; Autograph Letter Signed by James H. Bartlett, 3pp. octavo, March 22, 1862, addressed to Captain Nelson, and reads in part: "...Yesterday...you wished me to write you word respecting the fifty dollars bounty due Geo. Ashby which I requested you to keep in your hands until you should have an opportunity for transmitting it to me safely; this morning I went to see his Mother respecting it & her reply was; that she had written to you to send George home, so I wish you still to keep it in your possession. Charles Rust has been the means of causing Mrs. Ashby to feel dissatisfied with the bargain she made with me; he you know (ie if you are at all acquainted with his reputation in his own neighborhood) is & has been for years - proverbial for his disposition to interfere in matters concerning other persons. I made no bargain with George Ashby, I made it with his Mother, in the presence of two respectable witnesses. The article of agreement has been drawn up & singed by both of us; which article she has in her possession & in which case I behind myself to give her for George's services the fifty dollars bounty, thirty dollars a month & furnish a hand one day in every month to get wood, or do other work she may wish done...I further promised Mrs. Ashby if George was sick I would get him home if I could & in the event of his being killed while substituting for me I would if twas in my power have his remains brought home for internment..." Fine condition. With good research and background information on both parties involved.
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