Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
This 1860 autograph book belonged to Cumberland Univ. student Alexander Dodsen Rhea, of Loudon, Tennessee, who signed the inside front cover as well as the flyleaf. Rhea, (1841-1917), served as Capt. in the Tenn. 1st Infantry, and Major in the 11th Tenn. Cavalry. Hardbound, approx. 5-5/8" x 8-7/8", brown leather covered covers, with gilt "Autographs" on front and back covers, as well as on spine. There are 51 autographs, 32 of which have original albumen photos pasted in above the autographs. Most of the autographs are of fellow students, and a few (about 5), at the end of the book, are of faculty members, including Alexander P. Stewart, (1821-1908), who was a Professor of Mathematics at Cumberland Univ. when the war broke out, and became a Lt. General in the Confederate Army, fighting in most of the battles of the Army of the Tennessee. Also includes an incredibly scarce autograph of Andrews W. Gould, (1840-1863) of Nashville, Tenn. (signed "A.W. Gould, Nashville"), the young Lt. who confronted General Nathan Bedford Forrest at a hotel in Columbia, Tenn. in 1863, to question the General's Order transferring him from his command after he had two guns captured, claiming Forrest was implying he was a coward. The argument became heated, and Lt. Gould shot Gen. Forrest in the hip with a revolver he had in his pocket. Forrest immediately stabbed Gould with a pocket knife he was holding (he had been using it to pick his teeth). Gen. Forrest, thinking he was mortally wounded, cried out "No damned man kills me and lives", and grabbed 2 revolvers to go after Gould, who had fled out of the hotel and run down the street. When Forrest was told by the Doctor that his wound wasn't serious, his rage cooled, but Lt. Gould was mortally wounded and died from his stab wound. The students who signed this album put the date of their signature (they date from Sept. to Dec., 1860 - on the eve of the Civil War), and most of the students also wrote the name of their hometown (they are from Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri), and some wrote the year of their birth as well. Some also wrote inscriptions or mottos - including Robert Donnell (b.1842), of Athens, Alabama, who wrote "Liberty and Union Forever", but went on to Confederate Service as Major in the 22nd Ala. Inf.; and M.F. Rigues (Martin F. Rigues), of Vermillionville, La., who wrote "Union, the Constitution and John Bell forever", and went on to Confederate service in the 1st La. Infantry and the Louisiana Guard Light Artillery. Many (if not most) fought in the Confederate army in the Civil War, which broke out not long after they signed this autograph album. From the first page is a dedication of sorts, “..this book will be your source of the greatest delight in as much as it will call to your memories of by gone days ...”, signed by “G.A. Henry” who enlisted into "K" Co. Arkamsas 20th Infantry, 1862 . Another quote from J.J. Blair who enlisted into "F" Co. TN 62nd Infantry, “Be a hero in the Strife”. then, “Bob E, Houston”, Madisonville who enlisted into "I" Co. MS 11th Infantry. He was Surrendered on 4/9/1865 at Appomattox Court House, VA. Many others to research. Besides A.P. Stewart, other faculty members who signed this album include: Nathan Green, Sr., (b.1792) Professor of Law; Tenn. State Senate, 1826; Judge of the Tenn. Supreme Court, 1831; and his son, Nathan Green Jr. (b.1827), also a Prof. of Law, who served as a Staff Officer under Gen. A.P. Stewart in the War; James. M. Safford (1822-1907), geologist and chemist, Professor at Cumberland Univ., 1848-1873, and at Vanderbilt Univ., 1875-1900; A.H. Buchanan, who at the outbreak of war joined the Confederate Engineering Corps, and made maps for Gen. Joe Johnston, who praised his work. Condition - the covers and spine are Very Fine, with no wear to the gilt titles and border design. The spine is shaken and partly separated from the contents, and a few pages in the beginning are loose, but the rest are tight. The flyleaf, with the owner's autograph, has a portion torn away, not affecting any of the writing. There are a few scattered stains on some pages.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.