Lot 1021

EDWARD A. WILD, ALONZO G. DRAPER AND U.S. COLORED TROOPS OFFICERS

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EDWARD A. WILD, ALONZO G. DRAPER AND U.S. COLORED TROOPS OFFICERS

Estimate: $400 - $500

Current Bid: $200

(1 Bid)

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

EDWARD A. WILD, ALONZO G. DRAPER AND U.S. COLORED TROOPS OFFICERS
A very interesting, fine association group of signatures and endorsements belonging to officers of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), on a war-date autograph letter, 1p. 4to., [Virginia], Feb. 11th, 1865, from 1st Lt. William L. Ames, commander of Co. E of the 38th United States Colored Infantry Regiment, to Capt. D. D. Wheeler, requesting permission to travel to Norfolk to procure uniform items and equipment. Ames signs in black ink at the conclusion, adding his rank and company. The overleaf bears four signed endorsements of approval, including one of Lt. R. W. Simpson of the 22nd USCT, and two of Lt. James. W. Bacon of the 36th USCT, both signing as acting adjutants for their commanding officers. On the verso of this leaf, the request bears the signed endorsement of ROBERT M. HALL, commanding colonel of the 38th USCT, dated Feb. 12 and listing the current strength of his regiment. The request next bears the rare signed endorsement of ALONZO G. DRAPER (1835-1865), commander of the 2nd North Carolina Colored Volunteers (later reorganized as the 36th USCT), who led a successful expedition suppressing Confederate guerrillas and recruiting Black troops but who was criticized for his harsh treatment of both his soldiers and prisoners. He signs ‘A. G. Draper' in black ink as commander of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, to which the 36th USCT then belonged, with another hand adding his contemporary rank ‘Bvt. Brig. Gen. Comdg.' Below this appears the A.E.S. of Draper's superior officer, Brig. Gen. EDWARD A. WILD (1825 - 1891) who was severely wounded at Seven Pines, and later organized ‘Wild's African Brigade' to recruit Black troops for Army service, and to which Draper's 2nd North Carolina belonged. He executes his endorsement approving and forwarding the request as commander of the 1st Division, 25th Corps, dated Feb. 14 and signs ‘Edw. A. Wild', adding his rank below. The piece shows original mailing folds with minor splits thereto, with rodent damage along the left edge causing the two leaves to partially separate, and with file holes along the right edge and mild to moderate toning throughout, otherwise in very good overall condition. The relationship between Draper and Wild would end poorly; in February of 1865, just as the letter described above was circulating between them, Draper would bring charges against Wild of ‘conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline', alleging that Wild had slandered Draper's reputation by insinuating that he was malicious and biased in his behavior towards other officers. As a result of the charges, Wild was relieved of command of his division and demoted to command of a brigade. Draper in turn would be mortally wounded by his own soldiers during target practice in Texas, shortly after the war's end.

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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 + $10,000