Lot 272

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Description:

U.S. GRANT'S TRAITOROUS BROTHER-IN-LAW DECLARES HIS LOYALTY TO THE SOUTH!
JOHN C. DENT (1816 - 1889) Brother-in-law of Union major general and president Ulysses S. Grant, brother of Grant's wife, Julia Boggs Dent, and a veteran of the Mexican War. Incredible content A.L.S. "John C. Dent fedl. prisoner", 4p. 4to., "Columbia Jail", Columbia, SC, Oct. 10, 1864 to Gov. Milledge Luke Bonham. Imprisoned on suspicion of bearing pro-Union sentiments, the brother of the most famous and successful general in the Union army turns traitor and tries to save his skin! In small part: "...I have understood the charges they hold against me...showing I have been discharged from the United States service...Both of these papers they are mistaken in. I am not nor never have been a United States Government Lessee in any shape or manner...I have never done anything detrimental to the interest of the Confederacy but have invariably done all I could for the promotion of the Confederate cause...particularly looked after the interest of its citizens in Mississippi & Louisiana. Prevented strangers & others from taking their stock negroes & by reporting the matter to Gen'l MacPherson...Our family are all with but two exceptions, strong Southern sympathizers and many were now & have been since the beginning of the war in the Confederate army assisting battling for its cause. I should have been in the army with you...Genl. Grant being my brother in law I could not avoid as he married my sister some sixteen or eighteen years ago...we got no negroes from the Government or any assistance in any way...nearly eight long months imprisonment & I am in debt now...". Text is a bit light due to the use of "secession" ink, yet entirely legible and with a full transcript. Incredible - makes Billy Carter look like a Girl Scout!

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

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