February 23rd, 2012
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2012
Exceptional content letter, Washington City (D.C.), June 2, 1865, 4pp, fine. Letter written to former Congressman John Carey of Ohio (1792-1875) from his friend and politico I. Moody Smith, in part: "…As regards the Rebellion, which thank God, is now crushed, you prophesized rightly. I confess that I could not realize, the consummation of such an outrage upon our nationality at the beginning of the struggle. When I look back upon the horrors which have been consequent, upon the battle fields during the war, I feel sick at heart. I can see in imagination the countless thousands of my loyal countrymen whose hearts blood has been shed to save us as a nation. Because a few of the most consummate villains who ever disgraced the human family were determined to destroy our present and future happiness and prosperity, but thank God they are now prostrate at our feet, and like you, I hope and trust as well as demand that they shall suffer, so far as the leaders are concerned, the extreme penalty of the law, this course is demanded as a penalty for their crime, as well as a warning for such scoundrels in the future. How sadly all good people feel at the tragic fate of our late good and beloved President, where death, as well as that of his successor & cabinet, is now fully and clearly proved to be part and parcel of the rebel plan. I cannot describe my feelings to you, on that terrible night of the assassination. When I waked up about 11 O'clock, and was told of the murder, it completely unmanned me. My nervous system was so completely shocked that I trembled like a leaf, but that feeling passed off, and was succeeded by a feeling of vengeance towards his murderers. If they had been found that night or at any time thereafter the excitement of the community was such that they would have been torn into a thousand pieces. We all must look forward to the future, and try to profit by the tragic history of the past." Smith continues with more recollections of the war and goings on in Washington, and then continues "…I send you a photograph of a soldier just after his arrival at Annapolis when released from a southern prison. The picture is a poor specimen of skill in the operator, but is perfectly accurate, as to drawing & detail. I was furnished by my son Lucius Smith who is an acting asst. surgeon, and has been on hospital duty for the last three years, and who will vouch for the correctness of the picture…". Smith then continues about troops leaving and the recess of Congress in Washington. An excellent letter.
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