Lot 997

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Description:

UNION SOLDIERS ARE SECRETLY PREPARED TO KILL NEW YORK RIOTERS DURING THE 1864 ELECTIONS
JOSEPH R. HAWLEY (1826 - 1905), Union major general who led his men at Bull Run, Port Royal, and at Richmond and Petersburg. Archive of orders addressed to Captain Loomis L. Langdon directing him to transport the troops under his command from Bermuda Hundred, Va. to New York City in order to provide security during the presidential election of 1864. The year before, New York, a major center of anti-war sentiment, had seen major riots in response to the decision to draft soldiers into the army, and it was feared that similar unrest would break out again during the hotly-contested election. Offered here is a fine content series of nine war-date A.L.S. by various Union officers, 13pp. total, 4to., Nov. 2-11, 1864, all tipped together at the top, including one written and signed by Hawley and endorsed by him on the verso. In part: "... The arrangement is that the double-decked ferryboat Westfield shall take 4 guns, the single-deck'd ferryboat Geo. Law 4 guns... Peconie 4 guns, and on each ferryboat will be an infantry support of about 200... The Westfield is here now. Use all possible expedition..." Another letter, titled "Circular Confidential Instructions" and issued on behalf of Hawley by his adjunct, Charles Graves, gives specific instructions regarding the company's duties upon arrival in New York. In part: "...If ordered to march in the city keep closed up and pay no attention to mere words. If ordered to suppress a riot do it, fire no blank cartridges while the enemys of law and order are within range. The infantry supports will on no account leave their guns for a moment. Quit yourselves like faithful, steady, brave, invincible soldiers of the republic..." Also included are two A.L.S.s by Hawley himself, each 1p. 8vo., Deep Bottom, Nov. 3, 1864, containing personal instructions to Langdon. In part: "... I was informed that you would apply to Col. Dodge for transportation... I suppose that you will go on two vessels, but I bet it should be three. I send you three copies of sealed instructions, to be opened after the vessel crosses the bar beyond Fortress Monroe..." The next letter is the aforementioned sealed instructions, complete with an envelope marked "Keep Private". In part: "...You will cause the master of the transport to proceed directly to New York and lie off Castle Garden permitting no one to go ashore. You will then report to me... My vessel will carry a flag at the fore & when we arrive, will show at the stern the standard of the 2d Brig. 1st Div. 10th Comp." On the verso, Langdon has sketched this flag, a red fort on a white ground with the number "2" in the center. An excellent archive of an unconventional Civil War deployment. Minor toning and foxing throughout, else very good.

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December 9, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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