General Isaac Trimble Exchange Letter

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009

Confederate General Isaac R. Trimble was wounded and captured during Pickett's Charge at the battle of Gettysburg. While in Union hands his left leg was amputated and he was recommended for parole, but Simon Cameron noted that he had an in depth knowledge of northern railroads and recommended that the general be held until the end of the war. Trimble remained in Union prisons until he was released in February 1865. During this time, Union General Alfred N. Duffie served as a cavalry commander in the Army of the Kanawha and subsequently he was captured at Bunker Hill, Va. on October 24, 1864. While both me were incarcerated, Trimble's sister wrote to a friend of Duffie's hoping for a prisoner exchange of the two in early 1865.An unusual war-date Gen. Isaac Trimble family letter, 2pp. 8vo., Charlottesville, [Va.], Jan. 3, [1865] to a certain Mr. Riddell, in part: "…I have received a letter from Gen. Trimble…he said 'I saw Gen. Raymond Lee passing through Boston, who is a noble chivalric enemy & will do all he can for sake of auld lang syne'…perhaps if Gen. Duffie would write to him, he would use his influence for Gen. Trimble's exchange for Gen. Duffie. Gen. T. and Gen. Lee have been devoted friends for years and though now separated by political differences I feel assured that one would do all in his power for the other…[Lt. Col. John E.] Mulford will soon be up to Richmond to arrange a cartel for the exchange of all the prisoners. Would not this be a good time for Gen. Duffie to push the exchange…Gen. T's exchange may be more easily accomplished as he writes [that] he is on the sick list…if you think proper you can let Gen. Duffie read my note…". VG

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