Lot 160
Sickles, Daniel E (1819-1914) Controversial Union general and diplomat. In 1859, after killing the son of Francis Scott Key for having an affair with his wife, Sickles became the first person in U.S. history to be acquitted by reason of temporary insanity. War-date Autograph Document Signed ("D E Sickles"), as commander of the Excelsior Brigade (which he raised), one page, 12 x 8", Camp Bradford, Lower Potomac, Nov. 17, 1861. Written on the lower portion of a document signed by a Mr. Arnold, Good Hope D.C., Oct. 24, 1861, who certifies that he owns land which was occupied by the Excelsior Brigade from Aug. 21 to Oct. 24, 1861, and that the soldiers had burned 625 panels of post and rail fence.
Sickles writes that he personally knows Mr. Arnold to be a loyal citizen of high character and believes his claim is just, that the fences were burned as fuel by the soldiers encamped in Mr. Arnold's neighborhood when the Quartermaster had none to issue. Some uneven toning, else very good. Affixed at left edge to a 14¼ x 10½" sheet and accompanied by a 14 x 10½" steel engraving steel engraving by A.H. Ritchie.
Estimated Value $200 - 250.
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| Realized $135 |
