2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
Absentee bidding for this session ends on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.
The live portion of this session begins on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Price (1809-1867) was an American politician and military officer who was a senior officer of the Confederate States Army. Price was initially a public supporter of the Union. He backed Stephen A. Douglas for president in 1860. When the states of the Deep South seceded and formed the Confederate States of America, Price opposed secession by Missouri. He was elected presiding officer of the Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1861–1863 on February 28, 1861, which voted against the state leaving the Union. In private, however, Price conspired with pro-Confederate Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson to arm the state's militia with Confederate weapons so they could seize the St. Louis Arsenal and thereby gain control of the city and the state. The plot was foiled in May 1861. Jackson appointed Price to command the new Missouri State Guard in May 1861, and Price led his recruits (who nicknamed him "Old Pap") in a campaign to expel Lyon's troops. War Date Letter Signed with rank, “S. Price, Maj. Gen. Commanding”, datelined, Head Quarters No. 5 Guard, Camp near Greenfield, probably to Colonel J.H. Lane, in large part, “When at Drywood I captured a number of prisoners belonging to the state of Kansas. I released them all. At Lexington I released a large number, the officers upon parole. Having so done I confidently relied upon pursuing the same course with regard to citizens of the State of Missouri. You have as prisoners Messrs, Rosser and Harris; also a soldier captured at Drywood. Young Rosser has never been in the ranks of the army in any way. I will give unconditional release for any Kansas officers you may designate for these or for any others you may have in your command. I am respectfully, S.Price, Major General, Commanding.” Clean, 1p, minor tape repair at fold.
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