Description:

TRUMAN SEYMOUR
(1824-1891) Union brigadier general who served from Fort Sumter to Sayler's Creek, at one point captured and placed under the guns at Charleston. Interesting and content association war-date A.L.S. ‘J. Seymour', 3pp. 4to., Castleton, NY, Sep. 1, 1863, to Col. (later Bvt. Brig. Gen.) John Titcomb Sprague, superintendent of the General Recruiting Service. In large part: ‘Permit me to recommend to your attention, as highly worthy of advancement, Captain Orville D. Jewett, of the 156th Regt – now serving in the Department of the Gulf. Personal Knowledge warrants my stating that he is unusually well qualified for position as a Field Officer – possessing more than ordinary intelligence and excellence of character – and to which rank, his service in the field and the sacrafices [sic] of time and means made by his family and himself, to ensure the success of this War, would appear to give him a strong claim. Captain Jewett was the only officer of that grade who volunteered from his Regt for the storming-parties organized against Port Hudson, just previous to its surrender. The first Colonel of the 156th (Ersatus Cooke) and the first Major (Schaffner) were both desirous that Capt J. should be made a Field Officer – as, it is understood, is also his present Colonel (Sharpe). Capt J. was senior Captain of the 175th Regt, previous to its consolidation with the 156th…' Seymour signs boldly at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank ‘Brig. Genl.' Shows some pencil identifying inscriptions around the signature, with original mailing folds, and with the two sheets of the letter split and mended with cello tape, otherwise in very good condition. Despite this glowing recommendation, Orville D. Jewett would enter the historical record for unsavory reasons: following the war, he was granted a position in his family's lead manufacturing business in Staten Island, which he apparently disliked. On April 5, 1877, he arrived at the office armed with a pistol, a dagger and a hand grenade, which he lobbed at his uncle, George W. Jewett, killing him instantly. The explosion shattered Orville's hand and inflicted grievous internal injuries, and he died later that day.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$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
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000