Description:

THE DEFENDER OF THE NORTH'S ONLY OIL FIELD PLEAS FOR REINFORCEMENTS...AND ON THE VERSO, SURRENDERS HIS COMMAND!
Historically important A.D.S., 2pp. 4to., Spencer Round Co., Va., Sep. 2, 1862, being the plea being a desperate battlefield dispatch from J. Castelli ("Cass") Rathbone, Colonel of the 11th Va. Vols. (Federal) to his superior for immediate reinforcements, with the verso of the same sheet bearing a true copy entirely in Rathbone's surrendering himself, his officers and five companies of men to C.S.A. Gen. Albert Jenkins and promising not to take up arms against the Confederates until exchanged! Some background on Rathbone is in order. JOHN CASTELLI RATHBONE (b. 1818) was the heir to an oil fortune founded on his family's sale of oil rights at Burning Springs, Va. (now West Va.). His income from at the time was over $10,000/day, a staggering sum even today, and he raised a regiment solely to defend Burning Springs. He never sought, but was given a commission, and was put under the command of Col. J. A. J. Lightburn in Charleston, fifty miles away, who rarely provided Rathbone with arms or supplies. Of course, oil was crucial to the federals, as it was widely used in industry and even in the lighting of camps. Rathbone's oil field was one of only two in the world, but this fact was lost on his superiors. In the summer of 1862, Gen. Albert Jenkins invaded Ohio and on Sep. 2 captured Rathbone and his entire command, but thankfully also failed to note the importance of the oil, and left the area. The raid caused a furor, and Rathbone took the blame - he was shortly dismissed by Stanton for cowardice without a court martial or hearing. Our document is dated the very day of Rathbone's surrender, Sep. 2, 1862. On one side scribbles his plea to Lightburn (in pencil): "...Head Quarters Camp Spencer...Sir Jenkins Cavalry &c will attack the post this evening. Come and Bring every man you have got - come by forced Marches...". Jenkins moved faster than Rathbone expected, and arrived at Spencer at 4:00, taking Rathbone and his command. On the verso, the beaten colonel surrenders, this being a fair copy in Rathbone's hand. In part: "...We the undersigned prisoners of war belonging to the 11th Regt. Va. Vols. U.S. Army who have this day Surrendered to the Confederates under the Command of Brig. Genl. A. G. Jenkins we Respectfully pledge our honor that we will not bear Arms or do any Military Service...during the Present War unless we are Exchanged or otherwise released...of which pledge we are Paroled...". Rathbone then again pens his name, those of his officers, and lists each company and the number of men surrendering per company. Fine condition. Records indicate that the Confederates returned to the area of Burning Springs and did destroy oil stockpiles, but the history books and records remain very cloudy on and details whatsoever, and no image of "Cass" Rathbone exists. He was, however, vindicated when Andrew Johnson overturned his dismissal.

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October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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