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(GEN. GIDEON PILLOW AND HIS MEXICAN WAR INTRIGUE) $500.00 60078-25 Son of General John Davis, a Pennsylvanian, a colorful character who fought in two wars, served as a United States Attorney, published prolifically, and succeeded in business. Superb content war-date A.L.S. of WILLIAM W. H. DAVIS as Lieutenant in 1st Massachusetts Infantry, 2pp., 4to., Amazoque, Mexico, Dec. 1, 1847, to his father from the front. In part: "... tomorrow we reach Puebla...then the whole Division f six Regiments, takes up the line of march for the city of Mexico. There is no signs of peace. It is thought that when Gen [Winfield] Scott receives his reinforcements he will move further to the interior... We heard from the city [New Orleans] two days ago. Gens Pillow & Worth were under arrest, & Gen. Twiggs is on his way to Vera Cruz as its Governor. What has been the cause of all this no one knows...". What Davis did not know was that Gen. Gideon Pillow had published a letter in the New Orleans Delta under the nom-de-guerre LEONIDAS crediting himself for crucial American victories, credit which rightfully belonged to Winfield Scott. When Scott discovered Pillow's ruse, he arrested and held him for court-martial. Pillow only escaped a court-martial because Maj. Archibald W. Burns, Pillow's regimental paymaster, took the blame. Included with the lot is a letter from Burns shedding light on his motivation, a war-date A.L.S. "A. W. Burns", 3pp., 4to., Camargo, Mexico, Nov. 20, 1846, to NJ Congressman George Sykes. In part: "...I beg leave to enclose to your care a letter from Br Genl G J Pillow U S army on my behalf to the President of the United States, and to ask the favor of you...Immediately upon my arrival at this post, I became acquainted with Gen. Pillow and have had frequent intercourses with him personally and officially...a warm and [?] friend..." Burns also sets forth the army's upcoming movements south, noting: "...the next big fight I think may be looked for at San Luis Potosi and our men are ready and eager for it...they did not participate in the fall of Monterrey...I indulge the hopes that the 'Stars and Stripes'...may yet proudly and gallantly wave over the 'Halls of Montezuma'..." Much more fine content. Both letters are very good. The verso of the Davis letter was used as a cover, and includes a New Orleans stamp cancel dated Dec. 30 and a black "10" postmark. Davis would return to New Mexico in 1853 as the territory's United States Attorney and eventually published El Gringo: New Mexico and Her People, his memoir of the experience.

(MEXICAN WAR EPIDEMIC) $100.00 60078-53 A.L.S., "Rosario G. del Campillo", 3pp, 4to, Guanajuato, May 2, 1848, in Spanish to Demetrio Montes de Oca. Campillo describes the disease breaking out in the city of Jalapa after the fighting had ceased, in part: "...over two thousand Americans in Jalapa, sick and scattered throughout the inhabitants...". Due to the outbreak of disease, del Campillo escaped with her children to: "...save them from the consequent contagion...". Fine with superb penmanship, minor folds. Includes a transmittal cover stamped with a black "3" and a stamp cancel from Orizava on May 2.

(A NO-WIN WAR WITH MEXICO) $400.00 60078-16 Fine content A.L.S. of HENRY M. BRACKENRIDGE (1786—1871), American writer, lawyer, judge, and Congressman from Pennsylvania, 2pp., 4to., Tarentum, Pa., Oct. 12, 1846 to James Causten (husband of Dolley Madison's niece, Anna) about the impossibility of avoiding or winning a war against Mexico. In part: "...The prospect of peace with Mexico is at an end. Boone knows better than S'ta Anna and Almonte the impossibility of our carrying on a war of conquest, without a large standing or regular army. A guerilla war will now begin, our troops will never penetrate beyond Monterey [sic], if so far. We will be compelled to fall back upon the Rio Grande and here will be a line of two thousand miles to keep up, not to speak of California... The clouds are gathering fast over the country. Pray God that they may be scattered by the rays of peace...". Brackenridge astutely assessed the difficulty of defending a vast and porous border and the difficulties in securing the Californian flank when the territory was not yet a state. American military planners dealt with this reality by pursuing a strategy of offense, taking the fight to Mexico on their own ground and winning crucial victories at places like Saltillo, Buena Vista, and Chapultepec. Boldly signed, very good.

(WELLINGTON, ARTHUR WELLESLEY) $250.00 36125-1 (1769 - 1852) British general and statesman, called the "Iron Duke", he crushed French forces under Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo.A fine Wellington relic, approx. thirty strands of his grey and white hair matted with a small reproduction of a letter mentioning that the original lock of hair had been taken from his head: "...cut after death". The original note had been penned by Wellington's valet, James Kendall, who was the last to see Wellington alive, and heard the great general's last words. Matted with a color portrait and a copy of Kendall's note of provenance, set in a gilt frame. Obtained by us directly from the owner of the complete lock.

(WORLD WAR II FIGHTER ACES) $120.00 38364-1 A fine collection of nine letters from various World War II veteran ace fighter pilots written to a collector on a range of subjects including GEORGE T. CHANDLER (5 Kills), T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Pratt, Kan., June 4, 1999 concerning Jane Fonda's visit to North Vietnam and also reminiscing about the "...first time that I met Zero fighters, I came away from the encounter with considerably more respect for the Zero fighter than I had prior..."; ROBERT CHARLES COATS (9.333 Kills), A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., [n.p.], June 14, 1999 discussing Jane Fonda; DARRELL S. CRAMER (7 Kills) , T.L.S., 1p. 4to., Springville, Utah, Nov. 10, 1999; J. THEODORE CROSBY (5.25 Kills), A.L.S. 1p. 4to., [n.p.], June 18, 1999 discussing the defection of pilot James Monti to the Axis during World War II; BARRIE DAVIS (6 Kills) T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Zebulon, N.C., Dec. 31, 1998 discussing a range of subjects and noting that "...I never thought of myself as a 'killer' but only as a guy who was, as the saying goes, 'scared shitless' many times and did only what I thought I should do... Once, as I straffed [sic] a locomotive, the engineer jumped fro the cab and ran directly into my line of fire. The .50 caliber bullets tore his body in half. I felt bad about this..."; FREDERICK E. DICK (5 Kills), T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Barrington, R.I., Jan. 20, 1999, "...American women should not... be combat fighter pilots... All this 'crap' going on concerning the subject is political..."; CARLOS K. HILDERBRANT (5 Kills) A.L.S. 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Oct. 2, [n.y.]; ROYCE W. PRIEST (5 Kills) T.L.S. 1p. 4to., Riverside, Calif., Oct. 27, 1998 discussing the early German jet planes in 1944; JOE D. ROBBINS (5 Kills), A.L.S. 1p. 4to., [California, n.d.]. Together nine pieces in very good to fine condition.

BAINBRIDGE, WILLIAM $200.00 50484-1 (1744 - 1833) American naval officer captured at Tripoli, and later commanded the Constitution in her victory over the Java. A.L.S., "Wm. Bainbridge", 2pp., 4to., London, July 20, 1806, to William Jones in Philadelphia, a retained copy. Bainbridge writes while working for the merchant service to pay off personal debts incurred during war with the Barbary States, in part: "I wrote to you on the 24th... informing that I had purchased two Chronometers, and an artificial Horizon for you... Enclosed is Mr. Hutton's the maker, artifacts of the daily rate of each piece I intended at first to have them set at Greenwich time on the day which I received them but as I found, to effect that, some part of the internal machinery must be disturbed, on Hutton's advice I declined it. Capt. Williams of the Ship Eliza Ann has been so polite as to take charge of them, to wind them up carefully on the necessary days. I have assured him in addition to my thanks, that you will consider his obliging attention as a favor conferred upon you..." The recipient, Jones, was later Secretary of the Navy. With the attached integral address leaf. Letters from Bainbridge, particularly later in his career, sometimes appear in the marketplace, but those documenting his brief merchant careeer are quite unusual. Very good.

BENTEEN, FREDERICK W. $700.00 49215-1 (1834 - 1898) American army officer, a captain in Custer's 7th Cavalry who was ordered by Custer to patrol an area near the Indian's village during the battle at Little Big Horn. During the action, Benteen relieved Reno's forces which were under attack, the two groups holding out until relieved by forces under Terry.Partial D.S. "F. W. Benteen" as Captain in the 7th Cavalry, the document complete in itself, 1p. 8vo., Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, June 16, 1878, a "Special Requisition" ordering clothing for Co. H, including forage caps, shirts, overalls, trousers, etc., boldly signed at conclusion. Also signed by an even rarer survivor of the Custer massacre, JAMES S. POLAND who served under Reno at the Little Big Horn and was erroneously reported as killed in action when severely wounded in the back. Before Little Big Horn, Poland was ordered to cease his sale of rifles and ammunition to Indians at the Standing Rock reservation, as the recipients were closely connected with Sitting Bull's band, and no wild game was present in the area. Trimmed at the bottom, otherwise fine condition and well-suited for framing.

WAR OF 1812 MILITARYIA MAN OIL PAINTING $900.00 47818-1 Original oil painting on canvas, 22" x 26", ca. 1820[?], a chest, up image of an unidentified War of 1812 MILITARYia man in dress uniform, bearing the signature of artist "F[?] Everett" in dark red paint at lower-right. Very small abraded area on the gentleman's chin, and a dime-sized thinned area at upper-left, else very good, set into an early frame. Certainly worthy of a bit of research!

WORLD WAR II M.P. GROUPING $120.00 47711-1 A nice grouping of material from Pvt. Willis Hill, an M.P. serving with the 508 Para. Inf'y Reg. In Germany during the war and during the occupation. Included are about 120 photographs, most 2" x 2" candid images of street scenes, bombed-out buildings, fellow soldiers, barracks, tank transports, a wrecked truck, wrecked ships at Le Havre, etc. Also included are about a dozen photos of various young ladies, a few identified as "mein frowe[sic]", despite strict rules against fraternization. A copy of Hill's M.P. graduation certificate and his "MP" armband and empty scrapbook. Overall very good.

SMITH, ALGERNON E. $900.00 48138-1 (1842 - 1876) American military officer, first lieutenant of Co. E in the Dakota Column of the 7th Cavalry, killed near Custer but away from his immediate command.Very rare, bold signature: "A. E. Smith" with rank as 1st Lt. of the 7th Cavalry added in another hand, cut from a letter. Fine.

(MEXICAN WAR OFFICERS ROB A BANK) $400.00 60078-28 Superb content war-date A.L.S., 4pp., 4to., San Angel, Mexico, Apr. 20, 1848, a letter from Pvt. David Duff of the 2nd Pa. Vols. private to a General A. P. Wilson in Huntingdon, Pa. Duff, a trained lawyer who volunteered to serve, first apprises Wilson of his failing health: "...I took the fever in the latter part of February...It is the most loathsome disease... If... I must die in this country I am perfectly content, rather than suffer as I have for the last month...". He also adds nes of the war: "...One rumor is that the armistice will terminate in a very short time...the efforst of President Pena y Pena have not brought a quorum of Congress together...I would fight them willingly every day...Mexico as an independent nation must be obliterated...all hell cannot prevent that which the God of nations decrees...". Duff devotes the majority of his letter to the fates of several officers in his regiment who committed burglary and murder in Mexico. In part: "... Lieuts. Dutton, Hare and Mudson are undergoing trial before a Court of Commissions. Dutton and Hare for murder and burglary and Mudson for plotting the scheme... Some eight or ten persons entered a house of deposit in the City of Mexico, which contained, it is said, three hundred thousand dollars, between three and four o'clock in the morning, and attempted to rob and plunder the house. One of the persons of the house fired a pistol at the intruders, which they returned, instantly killing him...Genls Scott and Pillow are still sitting...Mr. Trist gave Genl. Pillow hell in his testimony...". Duff goes on to give his legal opinion that the case against the officers is too strong for acquittal, and that their conviction will embarrass the regiment. One toned spot, else very good.

(MEXICANS FIGHT INDIANS IN 1848) $325.00 60078-26 A.L.S. "Antonio Perez", 2pp., 4to, San Fernando, Mexico, Feb. 8, 1848, in Spanish, a message from Perez to Jesus de la Garza regarding Indian skirmishes. In part: "...I as well as the officers of the company I had the pleasure to lead, are filled with the greatest satisfaction to see that the operations of the Division under your worthy command were received with jubilation by the authorities...". Even while the Mexican government fought Americans in 1848, they still had to contend with raids by roving bands of Lipan Apache Indians, and formulated the Division against Barbarous Indians [Legion contra los Barbaros] to battle them, in which Perez once led the Second Company. Minor folds with slight foxing along the folds and age toning, else fine. Lot also includes a similar letter, A.L.S. "Perfecto Flores", 1p., folio, San Ildefonso, Jan. 25, 1848, a letter from Flores to de la Garza commending him for subduing the "...barbarous Indians of the North...", a mission in which Flores was second-in-command. Flores later earned infamy and the loss of land in Mexico for murdering his own brother with a machete. Minor folds, else fine.

(WARTIME MEXICO'S RUINED FINANCES) $300.00 60078-12 HUGH MCCALMONT (1809-1887) Wealthy London stockbroker who donated much of his estate to city hospitals, having seen the great European cholera epidemic of 1832 ravage friends and family. Superb content A.L.S., "H. McCalmont", 4pp., 4to., Mexico City, Feb. 15, 1832, a report to his father on their business affairs in the midst of the war-torn Mexican economy. In part: "...The revolution has not been terminated so quickly as I then supposed it would be... Santana [Santa Ana] is still at the head of affairs in V [era] Cruz-- a considerable number of troops are at Pucute threatening an attack but nothing has yet been done... In business-- I am sorry... considering the times however really we should not complain... we have a good deal of money but the Exchange is very bad. What we have down is at 43 1/4...". McCalmont's letter contains several other interesting notes, including a trip he planned to take with a Dr. Beales, in part: "... Dr Beales... having some business in the North-- about some Grant I believe-- was looking for a companion...". Dr. John Charles Beales was a famed empresario (land speculator) and the grant McCalmont refers to is Beales' unsuccessful 1832 attempt to colonize Texas with a 55 million-acre grant from Mexico-- preceding Moses Austin. McCalmont also makes comments on the 1831 Baptist War, a slave uprising in Jamaica violently repressed by authorities: "...I think some of those Gentlemen have something to answer for in what has happened at Jamaica...". Moderate folds with minor holds at head of folds, age toned, else fine.

(AMERICAN PRIVATE IN MEXICAN WAR) $350.00 60078-11 Superb content war-date A.L.S. from soldier William A. Campbell, 4pp., 4to., Island of Lobos, Feb. 22, 1847, relaying to James Clarke of Greensburg, Pa. the conditions of his encampment and other war news. In part: "...On Sunday 14 Feby. we landed on this Island... Our journey over this stormy water was rendered doubly unpleasant by the number of men aboard, being nearly four hundred, and the terrible storms which we encountered... This Island is in the Gulf seven miles from the mainland... the 'Cambria Guards' is anchored out, and has one or two cases of smallpox... if Jimmy Polk, and Congress were compelled to live as we do, they would soon bring the war to an honorable close... I learn that Genl. Scott has arrived here with five regiments of troops and that we will leave in a few days for Vera Cruz...". General Winfield Scott and Commodore David Conner had chosen Lobos Island as an ideal gathering point for a Vera Cruz invasion after Scott learned that the English had frequently used the island for their smuggling operations. Campbell also judges his Pennsylvania Regiment as superior to the Mississippi and other troops he has seen: "...the men of the South cannot be compared with the men of the North, in any respect. The regiment from Miss has lost over one hundred and fifty men from disease... our Regiment has lost five or six only and they were killed in different ways...". Campbell fought for Pennsylvania's Second Regiment, mustering in as a private from Westmoreland County, and grew up in Greensburg. According to local records, Campbell returned from the war very ill and died shortly afterwards. Verso used as a cover, stamp canceled at New Orleans on March 1, with a black "10" postmark. Age toned, minor folds with a small seal tear on third page not affecting signature, else fine.

U.S. NAVY SHIPS AT PEARL HARBOR $1,500.00 44573-1 An exceptional and rare collection of fifty postal covers canceled aboard vessels present at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Many of the covers also bear images of the vessel or patriotic vignettes, all are pre-war. Among the vessels represented are the USS ARIZONA (strike a bit light), USS ANTARES, USS CALIFORNIA, USS CASSIN, USS HONOLULU, USS MARYLAND, USS MEDUSA, USS MONAGHAN, USS OKLAHOMA, USS NEW ORLEANS, USS PENNSYLVANIA, USS RALEIGH, USS SOLACE, USS SHAW, USS TENNESSEE, USS UTAH, USS VESTAL, USS WARD, USS WEST VIRGINIA and others. Overall fine condition.

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