An Officer’s Libby Prison Letter With The Commandant Response

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020

CESNOLA, Luigi Palma di (1832-1904), an Italian-American soldier, diplomat and amateur archaeologist, was born in Rivarolo Canavese, near Turin. In 1862, he took part in the American Civil War as colonel of the 4th New York Cavalry Regiment, serving under the name Louis P. di Cesnola. at the Battle of Aldie (June 1863), Colonel di Cesnola was wounded and taken prisoner. He received a Medal of Honor for his efforts during the battle. He was released from Libby Prison early in 1864 when the Union Agent for Prisoner Exchange offered a personal friend of Jefferson Davis as barter.Autograph Letter Signed, 1pp, with three different writers, "Col. di Cesnola" datelined Libby prison Richm'd, Nov. Wednesday 1863 written to Captain Turner (Thomas P. Turner, commandant). In part, I shall be under great personal obligation to you if you will grant me the permission of going with General Dow to Belle isle to assist him in distributing the blankets and also that I may see Doctor Wolfe ... You may have my word of honor that nothing but personal family matters is the object. .... Your Obt servant, Col. di Cesnola" The first response is from "Th. P. Turner" datelined CSM prison, Nov. 5th. In full, "Informed your want to genl Winder last night and he refuses to allow any Federal officer to accompany Gen'l Dow to Belle Isle". The second response is unsigned and reads in full, "On the 1st of December 1863. Gen'l Winder removed Brig. Genl. Neal Dow and appointed Col. di Cesnola in his stead to distribute all the contents of the 713 cases sent by the US Sanitary Commission to the federal prisoners encamped at belle isle Richmond Va."

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