2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A rare Southern political prisoner's letter with twice inspected Union examiner's marks by Camp Chase Post Master, Capt. D. B. Tiffany. Dr. Alfred Hughes (1817-1882) of Wheeling, (West) Virginia was an ardent Southern sympathizer. He was a member to Virginia Secession Convention in 1861 and voted that Virginia secede from the Union. Throughout 1861 and '62 he submitted many anti-Yankee/Lincoln administration articles to the pro-Confederate Baltimore Exchange newspaper. He refused to take the oath and was arrested after the Union army occupied his town on May 30, 1862. Circuit court Judge George W. Thompson, a former congressman and United States attorney along with nearly a dozen other "disloyalty" citizens, including Hughes, were scooped up by Union General Benjamin Kelly that fateful day. Hughes was carried to Camp Chase, a Union-operated prison camp in Columbus, Ohio. His letters were subject to Union examination by Campo Chase postmaster, Capt. D. B. Tiffany. Judge Thompson secured his release in September, 1862 after having a hand in his own prisoners exchange. Others, including Dr. Hughes, would only be released after they took the oath. The citizenry of Wheeling were not happy with Judge Thompson upon his return to Wheeling while their loved ones rotted in jail. Dr. Hughes wife, Mary, shows her distain for Judge Thompson in her, 4pp. 8vo., letter, to her husband, "Oct. 28, 1862, Wheeling," reading, "Examined, Most heartily I endorse this letter. Tiffany," her letter, reads, in part: "My dear Husband. I wrote you very hastily last evening telling you Molly Aà[left] here on Thursday morning for the South. She has promised me to do everything àfor me and you andàshe will from the fact that her most intimate friends is not aware of her intentsàshe sent me word to come and see her, that she was going [to] Mrs. Jones. Tells me if she succeeded in procuring a pass that she will let me knowàwhen you will have abundant of timeàshe would not make an uncertainlyàMary and Lizzie I can leave with motheràthey are just at an age when they require to be kept at a good schoolàTom wrote on Sabbath weak ago several letters in reference to your case and has received at least one answer that looks favorableàJudge T. [George W. Thompson] seems to be at work nowàfor your releaseàhe felt my treatmentàwhen he was hereàhe would not be seated but stood all the time. He was telling me what he thought appeared favorableàwe may have judged him wrong in all things with the exception of his desire for remaining home. Do notàbe his aggressor. Out of his own mouth let him be condemnedàjudge notàleast we be judgedàtake your Mary's advise this timeàI would rather suffer death than ask you to do wrongàyou can tell [the judge] that not hearingàso long a time that he had [not] done anything for your release, that you had come to the conclusion that all his promises were as naught and thatàhe wasàselfish being comfortable and happy, forget the misfortunes of others..be kind, be forgiving my own Alfred. Your Mary begs you, you see that I was mistaken in Tomàhe went right to work when he had a clue how to act and so I trust may we be with the JudgeàYour devoted wife, Maryà". Also, included is Hughes original stamped POW stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "Dr. Alfred Hughes, Care of D. B. Tiffany, Prison Post Master, Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio" with "Examined Tiffany" manuscript passed examiner's mark at the top. Dr. Hughes, endorsed the verso of this letter's transmittal cover, in part: "No. 64. Recd. Wednesday evening at 6 Ock. 29. God bless my true, pure and loving and noble & beloved wife!àGod bless my darling & most believed wifeà". Dr. Alfred Hughes (1824-1880) was a born in Wheeling, (West) Virginia. He studied medicine at the Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia and graduated in 1853. After graduation he returned to Wheeling and established a successful practice. Eliza Clark Hughes (1817-1882), his sister, assisted him in his practice. She began her formal study of medicine in 1855 at the Pennsylvania Medical College. In 1860, Eliza graduated as one of the country's first female physicians and practiced with her brother in Wheeling. She became one of the first female practitioners in the state of Virginia. Minor tape stabilization to fold splits. The cover near fine. (2 pieces)
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