2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Retained Copy Letter to President Andrew Johnson written by William L. Ritter who enlisted on 10/24/1861 at Richmond, VA as a 1st Lieut. and was commissioned into Maryland 3rd Light Artillery. He was listed as: Wounded (date and place not stated) (Wounded three times during war). Autograph Letter Signed “William L. Ritter” 3pp., datelined August 21, 1865 written to His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President United States, Washington DC, in part “ In pursuance of the proclamation of your Excellency of 29th of May 1865, I beg leave to submit this application for amnesty and pardon. I am thirty years of age ... Captain of a battery of light artillery known as Ritters Battery ... remained in the military service of the Confederate States until the 4th day of May 1865 when my command was surrendered by General R. Taylor to Maj. Gen. E.R.S. Canby ... I was parole at Meridian on the 10th day of May ... I am not the owner of any slaves, none of my property has been abandoned nor in possession of Military Authorities of the US. ... I have taken the loyalty Oath ... I therefore humbly entreat your Excellency to grant me special amnesty and pardon for any offense I may have committed as provided in the proclamation of Your Excellency of May 29th 1865.. It continues on the same sheet with a plea for amnesty to Georgia, Fulton County. On a separate letter (back of a CSA form), Autograph Letter Signed “Missenia H. Stokes” Oct. 16, 1865 wiritten to Andrew Johnson’s daughter, Mrs. Martha Johnson Patterson and wife of Judge David Patterson, in part, “My object in writing to you is to beg you to use your influence with President Johnson on behalf of a young friend of mine. You have it in your power, doubtless, to confer a great favor, not only upon this young man, but upon his whole family; and I am sure you will not refuse to do it when the happiness of so many would be secured thereby.Four years ago, Mr. William Ritter, for whom I solicit your influence, left his home in Maryland to take up arms in defense of principles he conscientiously believed to be right. ... The 21st of last August Mr. Ritter in application to President Johnson ... he has not heard from it ...”
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