Lot 365

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Description:

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG CRIST FARM DAMAGE CLAIM
Excellent war-date or immediately post-war autograph document, 3pp. 4to. [Gettysburg, n.d.], entitled "Duplicate of Damages done by the Rebels for M[ichael] Crist - damages to House & Barn for use of Rebel Hospital". The document itemizes dry goods, food and forage requisitioned, appropriated or destroyed by Confederate forces during the Battle of Gettsyburg. The items listed include hay and wheat (most likely used to feed horses), fence rails, bacon, lard, apple butter, saws, hatchets, shovels, a saddle, a "Rockaway buggy", and many blankets, sheets, towels and pillowcases, for a total of $1,254.51. The third page also bears a list of losses suffered by John Q. Allewelt, who was living on the Crist farm and fled with the farm''s horses at the outset of the battle, for a total of $560.37. This is most likely Crist''s own retained tally of the losses. In the official claim submitted Nov. 3, 1871, Crist attests that his farm was "situated on the battlefield" on July 1, 1863. Examination of period maps shows that the farm, along with that of Crist''s brother, John, lay on the Chambersburg Pike to the west of the town, and that it was located on Confederate general A.P. Hill''s lines during their assault on Union forces located on Seminary Ridge during the first day of the battle. As both Crist farms were used as hospitals for Confederate wounded, Crist''s claim for sheets, coverlets and other items of bedding is especially telling. Two Confederate soldiers are recorded as having been buried on the property, with a further five on the farm of John Crist. Both Crist farms are described in the book "A Vast Sea of Misery: A History and Guide to the Union and Confederate Field Hospitals at Gettysburg", by Gregory A. Coco (Gettysburg: Thomas Publications), 1988, 207pp. (present here), which makes specific mention of and draws information from Michael Crist''s post-war damage claims. Also present is the ledger of John Q. Allewelt, approx. 66pp. folio, with most entries dated 1858, and with many pages taken up with the handwriting practice and arithmetic lessons of a student. Both pieces very good.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
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