Lot 1151

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GEN. SAMUEL CALDWELL FAMILY ARCHIVE
(1770 - 1835) American military officer. THE SOLDIER WHO DEFEATED TECUMSEH Caldwell first commanded the First Kentucky Regiment of Mounted Militia. Leading a force under William Henry Harrison, Brigadier General Caldwell fought and defeated the British and their Indian allies led by the legendary Tecumseh in the Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813 and secured the Northwest Frontier against future British attacks in the War of 1812. A large, fine archive of family letters, including a superb content patriotic A.Ms. (unsigned) in the hand of Samuel Caldwell, 14pp. 8vo., [n.p. ca. 1831], an address prepared by Caldwell to celebrate the 55th year of the country''s independence. Excellent content, in small part: "...Probably the Pilgrim Fathers who first landed from England on these shores of this mighty continent dreamed not that they would establish an empire extending from sea to sea and influencing beyond seas the state and conditions of the human family. They looked upon England as their mother and ever spoke of it by the endearing name of home. None other would have been used had not British oppression forced it – had not the lion attempted to prey upon the weak. A howling wilderness as far as daring fortitude could penetrate offered no great promise of protection only to the savage and the howling beasts of the forest...We as a people hold a conspicuous place among the peoples of the world for America this favored land of ours it was reserved to rear and cherish to maturity the first tree of liberty whose branches promise to extend their protecting shade over all the nations of the earth... A spark has fled that will enkindle a flame that shall consume the already crumbling thrones of monarchs and leave not save upon the pages of history a monument of royal power... Even now every ship on the Atlantic comes burdened with scores of Europe's sons destined to try the pleasing realities of their dreams of the Western Hemisphere. Desolation in the old followed in the wake and footsteps of tyranny. Contrast the status of a prince's subjects with that of a free and independent citizen of this republic. Contrast the ignorance, superstition and debasement of the great maps of population of a regal dominion with the wisdom, intelligence and virtue of the favored sons of freedom... Discord in some shape or other moves in every quarter of the globe... Great Britain trembles while the elements of revolution accumulate and seem to gather force for open violation of the national peace... France feels sorely the ruinous consequences and desolating influence of national instability. Spain smarts under the scepter of a tyrant and the dire effects of unrestrained ambition... Witness the situation of Eire the green emerald isle of the ocean. Her noble sons oppressed and ground to the very dust. Remember the assistance in our struggles for liberty rendered with all the ardor of the Irish Revolution. While another nation sent us Kosciusko – Poland. And while another sent a Lafayette to aid our desperate cause Ireland has sent her hundreds of names never to be forgotten in the history of those trying times...". More excellent patriotic content. There are an additional thirteen A.L.S.''s from Caldwell included, about 35pp. 4to., sent from Franklin and Columbus, 1828-29, largely to his son John studying theology at Princeton and to whom Caldwell is most devoted. In small part: "...bless you intention in entering on your theological studies at Princeton... I am fully according with your views... it is the work of the Lord in your heart to call you... at the request of your brother...[I obtained] him a Lieutenancy in the Marine Corps... the application in behalf of my son was duly placed on file... They will have the water in this part of the Canal perhaps about the later part of month... keep the best and most respectable company... avoid the dissipation and excesses into which too many young men fall inthese days... you have come to the conclusion to enter the academy at West Point... were it agreeable to your mind to return to the West we would be able in a short time to sell land... to enable us to go into Trade...". Caldwell''s last letter to his son finds the young man at West Point. His father writes: "...let me just remind you to studiously observe the orders & regulations of the place & people with who you are now incorporated... like a good soldier lay something up for a rainy day..." With much more content including obtaining the services of a missionary, church and religious matters, sending funds to his son, etc. There are an additional 17 A.L.S.s between brothers Robert and John, and between the sons and their father. Robert mentions a religious revival: "...There is a kind of wild fire, a zeal without knowledge sometimes apparent which most certainly cannot last... if the head alone is filled and the heart wanting – much need not be expected..." He relates his desire to visit Franklin in December and the circuitous route required: "...I had better get on board a vessel from New York and sail home by way of New Orleans. Would try it by horse but to cross the Alleghany at this season of the year would be a killing job..." John in turn struggles with his finances and speaks of possible employment: "...might become a tutor to some genteel family in the south, might get a horse if they would support me with a house. He knew of a Princeton graduate who gets $500 per year for teaching three hours per day..." John tells Robert: "...You want to know how I like New Jersey now. I am sick of it...." Robert later writes John that he has just returned from the meeting house from hearing a "whiskey sermon" and reminsces of his home: "Franklin is more noted for morality than formerly, though the canal brings many desperate wretches – the young ladies of the village are generally pious & are young ladies still, some like to remain so...". Finally, there are an additional fifteen letters from friends of the two brothers and others, many from fellow cadets including two each from future Union generals ROBERT C. SCHENCK and SAMUEL R. CURTIS, a letter sharply critical of John''s recitations at West Point, some lottery correspondence, etc. A fascinating archive worth a thorough reading and research.

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April 18, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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