Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union soldier's execution letter, 2pp. legal folio, and 2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Harrison Gibble (Gipple in the CW database), Co. A, 79th Penn. Vols., "Near Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 6, 1863," to his friend, Henry C. Gringrich. When Adam Weaver a Rutherford Co., Tennessee was murdered by three men who believed he was hiding a huge fortune on his property. The victim's daughter and a servant looked on in horror as the unfortunate man was tortured and and finally murdered after failing in providing the hoped for horde of cash. The three were apprehended by Union authorities, tried, found guilty and sentenced to be hung. In the meantime, Selkirk escaped, but was soon recaptured and subsequently hanged on June 4, 1863 near Gibble's camp which was located approximately a half mile from the borough of Murfreesboro. His companions were hung from the same gallows on June 18th. The story of Selkirk's hanging, reads, in part: "…we are kept in readiness to go into a fight at a moments notice…we are…waiting every hour for the word march. Some of our cavalry and mounted infantry left in the forepart of the week (about 15,000) and went towards Columbia. Our men fought them over 3 hours and made them retreat…they went to Columbia and shelled the town and burned…part of it down. They went to next day to Shelbyville where they was attacked again by the rebels, but this time our cavalry was reinforced by some infantry and drove them out of that town. Our forces followed them for miles and bombasted them…we heard the cannons roar all the time…and thought every minute we had to follow…today about 11 o'clock we seen a lot of soldiers putting up a gallows about 400 yards from our camp…a spy and murderer would be hung…I at first thought it a hoax and the frame…was ti hang up steers, but after dinner…the rope was fixed so I was satisfied…he got his charge yesterday. In less then one hour their was over 10,000 spectators around the scaffold and at about 1 o'clock the prisoner came on a wagon with the coffin which was drawn by 8 cream colored studs and two regiments of infantry as guards. They opened a space of 40 yards square around the gallows and then drove under it and gave him 10 minutes to prepare for another world. He prayed and then got up and said he is not guilty and is ready to meet his redeemer…the cap was drawn over his eyes and the drop fell and that ended his career. He had a full secesh uniform on when hung. His name was Wm. A. Selkirk, the one he killed…was Adam Weaver. Weaver's daughter wanted to fasten the rope to his neck, but Gen. Thomas objected to it. She was near the gallows when the fell and she laughed at him. We have two more that will be hung next week and a woman spy that will be shot. Old Gen. Rosecrans is not making much trouble to guard such customers. He gives them their dues. If you…take old Rosengrants plans you will soon get rid of your cowardly Copperheads. There is no danger of them for fighting. They are afraid to protect the government, so they turned Cpooerheads. I hope to hear of a great victory from Gen. Grant's army [at Vicksburg] in a few days…I will send you a piece of the rope where this rascal was hung with…H. Gibble…Co. A, 79th P. V. I…". Also, included is a one page quarto letter dated Feb. 11, 1863 and another one page octavo letter dated June 8, 1863 both from Gibble in which he sends home money and promising to send more soon. Each letter with light spotting and toning, else VG (4 letters)
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