Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 73

The Manuscript, Space & Collectibles Auction

Civil War

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 94		Archive of Col. M.T. Donohoe Tiffany Presentation Sword, This Tiffany sword belonged to Union Brevet Brigadier General Michael T. Donohoe. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Donohoe (1838- 1895) was commissioned Captain to "C" Co. New Hampshire 3rd Infantry in August 1861, and was promoted to Colonel of the 10th New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment ("Irish Regiment") in August 1862. He was severely wounded at Ft. Harrison, Virginia on September 29, 1864 and was brevetted Brigadier General, Volunteers, March 13, 1865 "for gallant service in the field." Along with the sword, in its original wooden case, this archive contains Donohoe's silver and leather flask, six Civil War date letters and documents, a photograph of Donohoe in uniform, his certificate of membership in the Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by U.S. Grant, and a printed shield with Donohoe's service record. 1) Tiffany & Co. sword is 38¾ inches, with a slightly curved single-edged blade, which is 31 inches. Engraved "Collins and Co., Hartford Conn." just above the blade on one side and "Palmers & Bachelders Boston" on the other. Silver spiral grip and quillon terminating in an eagle. The scabbard is silver with gilt braiding. "Tiffany & Co." banner is just below the lip; below, inscribed on gold overlay is "To Col. M.T. Donohoe By Morritz"; on the other side is an eagle bearing a shield. Overlay has recurring floral designs. Both sides have "US" at the bottom; there is also a shield on one side and a fancier "US" design on the other. Some tarnishing to silver. The sword is housed in its original wooden box. 2) Group of six letters: a) a 6-page detailed report from Col. Donohoe, Hdqtrs 10th Regt., Fort Connecticut, near Suffolk VA, 2 May 1863, on the operations of the 10th New Hampshire "since the first day of April while the enemy has been threatening Suffolk"; lots of detail.; b) letter to Donohoe from Edward M. Cullen (letter is secretarial), Col. 96th NYV, quoting an extract from Cullen's official report on the assault of Fort Harrison, crediting much of their success to Donohoe's gallant action in advancing the skirmish line "from Aikins Landing to the fort"; c) letter to Donohoe from the NH Adjutant General's Office, 18 Oct. 1864 about Donohoe's request for a 30-day furlough after being shot in the thigh at Ft. Harrison: "I was very sorry to hear that you had been 'clipped' as you term it, but then you still live and you are well aware that they are honorable scars…." d) letter to Donohoe, who was recovering from his wound, from Albert Sanborn, Chafins Farm, 10 Nov. 1864, about losses suffered by the 10th ("We 'went in' to 'win or lose' and we lost"), reporting the the 96th and 92nd NY Vols lost their colors, and with details on casualties; e) copy of a letter from Bvt. Maj. Gen. George J. Stannard, 11 Mar. 1865, highly recommending Donohoe for promotion due to his actions at Fort Harrison, with a glowing endorsement by Maj. Gen. Edward Ord; and f) a document signed by Secretary of War E.M. Stanton, War Department, Washington, 5 June 1865, advising Donohoe that the President has appointed him "for gallant conduct in the field, a Brigadier General of Volunteers, by Brevet…." All but one (the first) of these letters and documents were laminated years ago to preserve them. 3) Leather and silver flask engraved "Fort Harrison. / Va / Sept. 29th1864" on one side and "A Token of Gratitude" on the other. 4) Decorative certificate of membership in The Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by U.S. Grant as president of the society and by Horatio C. King as secretary, 24½ x 19 in. In original 28¼ x 23 in. frame. 5) 7 x 9 in. (sight) framed photograph of Donohoe as an older man in uniform holding his Tiffany sword by his side; in 11 x 13 in. frame. 6) 15 x 22 in. vividly-colored print in the shape of a shield with Donohoe's service record with the 3rd and 10th New Hampshire Volunteers, in original 26½ x 33½ in. frame: "Capt. Co C. 3rd NH Vols Aug. 14, 1861; promoted Col. 10th NHV July 8, 1862, Fredericksburg; In command 3rd Brig. 3d Div. 9th A.C. during Siege of Suffolk and affair at Hill's Point; On detached service Eastern VA; In charge of recruiting rendezvous Concord, N.H.; Operations of the Army of the James from Deep Bottom to Capture of Virginia; In command of skirmish line at Ft. Harrison, Sept. 29, 1864, horse shot in the morning, wounded in the thigh in the afternoon; Bvt. Brig. Gen. USV for gallant conduct at Ft. Harrison; Entry into Richmond; Mustered out June 26, 1865." Passed down through the Donohoe family; the present owner obtained it from a descendant. A discovery piece, it has never been at auction. Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $21,600
Lot 95		CSA Identified Springfield Percussion Rifle, The rifle was used by a CSA soldier whose name is carved on the stock: "J.D. McAdams, CO I, 26 NCI." McAdams joined the 26th North Carolina Infantry on Dec. 7, 1861, enlisting at Camp Vance at the age of 24. He was transferred to the 7th Tennessee Infantry in October 1862 and, like so many soldiers, disappears from the records. Both the 26th North Carolina and the 7th Tennessee were at Gettysburg. The 26th took part in Pickett's Charge and sustained more casualties than any other regiment. Part of the 7th Tennessee (Heth's Division) took part in Pickett's Charge, but because of faulty record-keeping, we don't know if McAdams was there. Our research is included with the rifle, which has a deep gash on the barrel as the result of a sword striking it. Ex Claude Harkins Collection. Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $19,200
Lot 96		Diary of A Journey to the South by Southern Sympathizers Carrying Contraband, A 165 manuscript journal kept by Mrs. Susan Brown, wife of Dr. George Brown, founder of the first institution for "feeble minded" children in the U.S. The Browns, who were from Barre, Mass., were southern sympathizers and they made a journey to the South (Mississippi) in 1863 to visit Maj. Gen. James Lusk Alcorn (1816-1894). With them they carried contraband, stored away in trunks. The detail in Mrs. Brown's journal is exceptional, describing every step of the way: the people they met, political conversations, food, the land, the "colorful" negroes, their days with Alcorn, a steam boat trip down the Yazoo Pass, being fired upon by snipers, "copperheads" and much more. With cabinet photos of Dr. George and Mrs. Susan Brown; also, Dr. Brown's personal leather agenda, which notes their arrival at Gen. Alcorn's home on April 2nd and their department on the 3rd, as well as their total expenses for the trip being $498 and Gen. Alcorn giving them $500. Gen. Alcorn served as a CSA brigadier general from Mississippi for some 18 months, mainly in raising troops and in garrison duty. He was taken prisoner in Arkansas in 1862 and paroled late in the year. In 1863, he was elected to the Mississippi state legislature. A wealthy man before the war, he maintained his wealth during the war by trading cotton with the North. Unaffected by the poverty which afflicted much of the South after the war, Alcorn was one of the wealthiest men in the New South. Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 97		Johnston, A. Sidney (1803-1862. He served as general for the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh. Document signed as Secretary of War for the Republic of Texas, 1 page, 7¾ x 5¾ in., Department of War (Austin, Tex.), 3 June 1839. Resolving a dispute over back pay: "This certificate entitles Wm. Keiser to the difference between the pay of Sergeant & first Sergeant from the date of last payment made to him to the first day of October 1834--as he served during the time specified in Capt. Harry's Co. I, 1st Regt…Volunteers." Minor holes to a few letters due to acidic ink. Johnston graduated from West Point in 1826. He enlisted as a private in the Texas Army in 1836 during Texas' War of Independence against Mexico and soon rose to brigadier general but was unable to assume his post due to wounds suffered in a duel with the commander he was to have replaced. He served as Texas' Secretary of War from Dec. 22, 1838 to Feb. 1840, then resigned. He fought with the U.S. Calvary in the Mexican War, commanded the Department of Texas in 1856, led the Utah Expedition escorting the Mormons to Salt Lake City between 1858 and 1860, and was serving at San Francisco when the Secession movement erupted in 1861. He declined a post as Winfield Scott's deputy and accepted the invitation of his longtime friend Jefferson Davis to command the Confederate Army of the Mississippi. Johnston fought Grant at Corinth and Shiloh, where he was wounded and died from internal bleeding. When Jefferson Davis received the news of Johnston's death, he wept, and vowed that "the cause could have spared a whole State better than that great soldier." (W.C. Davis, Jefferson Davis: The Man and His Hour, p. 404). Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,538
Lot 98		Lee, Robert E (1807-1870) Legendary Confederate general who was formerly a U.S. army officer, engineer, and Superintendent of West Point Military Academy. Autograph letter signed ("R E Lee") and postscript signed ("R E L"), 2 pages (1sheet recto/verso), 7¾ x 9¼ in. Lexington, VA, 1869 18 June 1869. To Col. Charles Marshall, a friend and staff office, about Confederate troop strength at 2nd Manasses (August 29-30, 1862): "My dear Colonel I have been unable until tonight to reply to your letter of the 9th Inst; owing to being engaged in the examinations now progressing. Upon referrng to White's statement made after the cessation of hostilities he gives the number of our troops at the 2nd Manassas as follows, 'Jacksons Divn. 17,000 Infy 38,000 / Longstreets [Division] 15,000 Cavy 5,000 / Andersons Divn. 6,000 Arty 4,000.' Col: Taylor in the 91st Arty…gives his estimate--'2nd Manassas'/ 'Infy 37,500 / Cavy 6,000 / Arty 4,000 [Total] 46,500.'' You know that all our records returns &c were destroyed. Unless you can get access to the returns which are said to be in Washington the exact facts cannot be known. I have more reliance upon Whites & Taylors memories than my own. Genl Porter wrote to me in 1867 in reference to our position movements at Manassas to which I replied. I have not time to repeat what I said in my letter…" Lee adds a four-line postscript: "You will of course keep the information I give you to yourself. Col: Allan Jackson, ordnance officer, thinks his command could not have reached 20,000. Let me know if you receive this." Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 99		Porter, David D. - Family Archive, Porter (1813-1891) was a Union Admiral; son of Commodore David Porter and adoptive brother of David G. Farragut. Letters and documents mostly pertaining to Mouina Porter (1845-1907), Admiral Porter's nephew, son of Commander W.D. Porter and grandson of David Porter. There is one document signed "David D. Porter," 1 page, 8 x 13¼ in., Washington D.C., 25 Feb. 1886, being an agreement between Porter and Mouina G. Porter regarding a parcel of land in Missouri; fold separations and tear at upper edge. Also an engraving of the Admiral and a photo of his tombstone. The archives include Mouina's application to the Sons of the American Revolution, letters to and from his wife and mother, War Dept. and Navy Dept. communications, including a 1907 notice of Mouina's death at sea, plus communications to his widow after his death. Also, an 8 x 10 in. photo of Mouina as a young Naval officer, a miniature New Testament in leather binding, 1862; and two small photos of young women, one or both probably of his wife. Estimated Value $250 - 350 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 100		[Civil War] 1852 Long Sword, Total length is 38½"; single-edge blade is 32¼". Engraved at top of blade: "Made by Ames Mfc. Co., Chicopee, Mass." on one side and "U.S./ A.H.C./ 1852" on the other side. Handle and cross-bar are brass. These swords were used in the Civil War. Estimated Value $450 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $270
Lot 101		[Civil War] Bayonet Sword, Total length is 27¼". Blade is 22" and slightly curved. Handle is ribbed brass. Oxidation to blade and cross-bar. Estimated Value $200 - 250 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $240
Lot 102		[Civil War] Navy Cutlass, Total length is 39"; blade is straight and 32". Marked 100.R.10.86 on the inside quillon. A crown is at one end of the outside quillon. Oxidation to blade and some spots on the hilt. Pirates famously carried cutlasses. Estimated Value $350 - 400 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $210
Lot 103		French - Heavy Cavalry Sword, April 1826, Broadsword of the French Republican Guard, Troopers model. Total length is 43¾ in. The slightly curved, single-edge blade is 38 in. and is pitted. Back edge is engraved with manufacturer but only date "April 1826" is legible. Brass hilt has three branches; leather and brass twistwire on the grip. No scabbard. Estimated Value $300 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $300
Lot 104		French Bayonet and Scabbard, St. Etienne, July 1873, Total length is 27½ in. Blade is 22 5/8 in. and slightly curved. Engraved on edge of blade: "Mre. d'Armes de St. Etienne Juillet 1873." Brass handle has number N 20K 106. The guard has "M 34027." Iron scabbard has some oxidation; it is numbered Q 68730. Estimated Value $300 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $180
Lot 105		[Maxim Machine Gun] Hiram S. Maxim (1896-1936) Inventor of the Maxim machine gun. Typed letter signed, 1 page, 7¾ x 9¾ in., London, 15 March 1916. To the Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady in Yonkers, NY, about Maxim's brother. In part: "…I would say that Hudson Maxim is unfortunately a brother of mine and without a single exception he is the greatest liar and the most contemptible scoundrel I have ever known….I have recently seen articles in the American newspaper written by this fellow in which he says that I never did anything in smokeless powder, he attributes the whole of it to himself. The truth is that I did everything necessary to produce smokeless powder, in fact, I left nothing of any value for anyone else to patent. The Courts of England and also Parliament have decided that I, Hiram Stevens Maxim am the original inventor and patentee of smokeless powder. For a long time he claimed to be the inventor of the Maxim gun although it was in the Service before he ever heard of it." Large, bold signature. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold