2023-08 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
A rare war-date manuscript, 2pp. folio, Oct. 20, 1863, Gettysburg battlefield claim submitted by farmer John Slyder, whose property sat on the southern most portion of the battlefield claiming that the United States owed him for damages due as a result of the epic battle, in part: "July 1/6 For 7 acres wheat destroyed, 2 acres grass [destroyed]…fence rails and fences damages to land…before the undersigned justice…came John Slyder…saith that at the time of the battle at Gettysburg his land…were occupied by the Union army-that on the afternoon of the second July his house was occupied by Union soldiers and he was obliged to leave…he returned on Sunday July 5th and the soldiers were still in his house and his fencing, crops and property were damaged and destroyed…and that the has not received any compensation…". Signed and made official by A. G. Glover with brown five-cent tax stamp on verso. Clean repairable split at fold, else VG.Slyder's farm still stands. During the battle, his farm was occupied by both sides. It was upon this land that Hood massed his forces to attack Devil's Den and Farnsworth made his fatal cavalry charge on July 3rd. Interestingly enough, Hood was wounded and Farnsworth was killed within sight of the farmhouse. Almost before the smoke cleared Gettysburg farmers came forward to file such claims. They quickly gained the distain of the Union soldiers and officials who fought there with some of them even secretly wishing that the rebel army had won. Usual folds, else VG
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