Lot 1148

UNION SURGEON’S LETTER

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UNION SURGEON’S LETTER

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $160

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

UNION SURGEON'S LETTER
ALBERT W. CHENOWETH (1835-1883) Physician who served with the 14th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in the Union Army. A zealous anti-slavery and temperance agitator, he met his end not in battle, but by a disgruntled man seeking a liquor license. Fine content, war-date A.L.S. 4pp. legal folio, Lawrence, KS, Jan. 11, 1862, to ‘Claudius', in part: ‘…This evening I recd your interesting letter…it clears up all doubts as to your representing [your] county…We have had a big scare here on account of the rebels attacking Springfield. I see from the latest news that Genl [Egbert B.] Brown was badly wounded and the place still in possession of our troops. I see another account which says the federals occupied their forts and intrenchments but the rebels succeeded in capturing the place destroying the government stores, plundering private stores, dwellings etc. I don't understand…I suppose you will ascertain the truth, please let me know it. It is quite strange that those devils will try to gain a foothold in Missouri where by every indication…the state of Mo has no sympathy with their fiendish schemes. You remember that devilish George Johnson that used to run with our boys and was sometimes at our house in Cassville – he staid [sic] with me night before last, he belongs to Genl [James G.] Blunt's body guard the same being Co. H 9th Kan Cav. George told me that he staid [sic] in Cassville the night of the 5th inst with Genl Blunt, that he slept within 20 yards of my house and stole all of the chickens in my hen coop…I was glad the boys rather than the rebels got them…Madison I suppose is in the army fighting for his nigers [sic] and his rights in the territories…It seems that the evening before Christmas the Harmons Martins and Mayfields and I believe John Hargreave in number charged upon and captured Pineville. Little Taylor Russell was there and trying to escape [and] was shot…off his horse by both John and Bill Harmon…is was discovered that his spirit had left its mortal coil…The nine boys who killed one in capturing Pineville amused themselves on Christmas day by going up on White Rock they chased a lot of the Secesh, but didn't kill any that George knew of…Well Claudius the present aspect of war in the south is not very flattering but come what will, we of the state of Missouri can have the satisfaction of knowing that Mo is indissolubly connected with the eastern and western states in the United States of America. To me this, the very worst aspect of the case (for us as Missourians) is not very dark under the new political dispensation which you this winter are assisting in inaugurating our…I think you are right in voting for B. Gratz Brown, he has been a true conscientious anti-slavery man so long that now that [his] party has got into power he ought to be rewarded…I send you by today's mail a pamphlet which contains facts and figures upon the subject of emancipation…it was written by F. H. Sanborn…the arguments and figures of history in favor of immediate rather than gradual emancipation are worthy of attention…'. General Egbert B. Brown (1816-1902) was a general in the Trans-Mississippi theater, and remembered victory over Joseph Shelby at the Second Battle of Springfield, mentioned here by our writer. Light wear, very good.

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