Description:

GEN. THOMAS F. MEAGHER IS CHALLENGED TO A HORSE RACE BY AN INDIAN PRINCESS!
Fascinating content A.L.S. "Ted" (likely an A.A.G. in the 2nd Corps), Acquia, Va., Mar. 26, 1863 to a friend. Meagher was known for his extravagant St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and the one he hosted in 1863 is well documented. Apparently the general won a horse race there and another party chose to challenge him for the title. In part: "...another cavalry expedition of some 60,000 men...had started out towards Kelly's Ford...Princess Salm Salm has challenged Gen. Averill, Gen. Meagher, and some other officers to a finale race...with an effort to win from the 'Shamrock Hero' his honors won on St. Patrick's Day...Those who saw the Prince's handsome little wife, leap the hurdles and ditches near Meagher's Head Quarters the day after the grand fete. They say she will out strip her competitors in the coming race...The 'Princess Salm Salm' is said to be one of the land's handsomest women...I shall have to go witness this novelty which is placed right under the enemy's guns and within range...". A couple of tiny grease spots, else fine. The 'princess' was a red-haired American woman of Indian descent named Agnes Leclerc Joy, an avid horse-woman who married Prussian Prince Felix Salm-Salm (1828–1870), then commanding of the 8th New York Volunteers. While at Acquai, she also made a bet that she would give Abraham Lincoln three kisses within the next few days on his visit to the camp, and she succeeded in doing so.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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