2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
A great pair of Confederate substitute letters written from the Virginia home front, one from the distraught mother of a recently hired sixteen year old boy demanding that he be returned home, while the other is from the gentleman who hired the boy to take his place in Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Both letter are addressed to Capt. Hugh M. Nelson, Co. D, 6th Virginia Cavalry who later served as volunteer aide de camp on the staff of Gen. Richard Ewell. Unfortunately, Mrs. Ashby did not get her wish. Records reveal that her son remained in served and was discharged for disability later in the war, but not before going AWOL soon after these letters were written. The story reads, in small part: [James H. Bartlett, March 22, 1862] Yesterday, J. Door of your company called at my house…[he] wished me to write…respecting the fifty dollars bounty due Geo. Ashby…this morning I went to see his Mother respecting it & her reply was that she had written to you to send George home…Charles Rust has been the means of causing Mrs. Ashby to feel dissatisfied with the bargain she made with me; he…has been…proverbial for his disposition to interfere in matters concerning other persons. I made a bargain with George Ashby. I made it with his Mother in the presence of two respectable witnesses. The article of agreement has been drawn up & signed by both of us; which…she has in her possession & in which I bind myself to give for George's services the fifty dollars bounty, thirty dollars a month & furnish a hand one day in every month to get wood…also to give her two and a half barrels of corn, furnish a horse, bridle & saddle…I have according to promise furnished George with…cloth for an overcoat…& in the event of his being killed while substituting for me. I would…have his remains brought home for internment…the bargain which she signed…I will stand to…[Malvina Ashby, March 22, 1862]…I sit down to write you a few lines concerning my son George as I am not satisfied with his pay. I thought he was to get the state pay but he says not. In the article of agreement he gets nothing but the bounty…I don't think it should stand. I thought Mr. Bartlett would of done a better part by George than that…I was a poor widow woman and stood in need of all I could get for him…I think you had better send him home and let Mr. Bartlett go in his own place. I have been uneasy ever since he left home about his leg. It was swollen very much when he left home…the doctor said the bone…was broke and three of his ribs…please send him home as soon as you get this letter as he has not got any clothes…tell him to bring both of his blankets back with him as I am scears of bed clothes…". Ashby's cavalry regiment was very active throughout the war and took part in nearly 470 battles and skirmishes. Near fine.
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.