Freelance Historian

The World of Historical Manuscripts and Ephemera

Civil War Chaplain Photo Archive

| September 16, 2011

  My most recent job for a client was scanning and researching what is possibly the largest collection of Civil War chaplain carte de viste photos ever assembled by one person, and perhaps the largest in existence. Notable inclusions are several veterans of Gettysburg, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor;  Henry Trumbull of the 10th Connecticut, who [...]

Civil War Union Army Payroll Checks

| February 9, 2011

An interesting item I’ve received is this sheet of uncut Civil War Union Army payroll checks. Printed in dark green on buff paper, there are no folds or tears- this item is in pristine condition. (Click image for full size.) This would look marvelous matted and framed, suitable for numismatists as well as Civil War [...]

1834: Maryland Doctor Heads to the Wild West of… Illinois!

| January 22, 2011

I’ve been transcribing a wonderful letter from 1834 that I wanted to share.  Dr. William Grimes of Maryland is writing his childhood friend Adam Glossbrenner, a newspaper editor in York, Pa. who is writing a history of the area at the time of the letter. Grimes wants Glossbrenner to move with him to the “frontier [...]

John F Kennedy Inaugural Program

| March 20, 2009

Just a quick update, as I had large shipment of clipped autographs and letters come in late today, and I’m still sorting them.  I had to take time out to get this listed right away, however.  This is a beautiful John F. Kennedy Presidential Inaugural Program, still in its original mailer!  Absolutely wonderful condition. ___________________________________ [...]

1864 Union Soldier’s Letter: “Fighting Rebs & Copperheads”

| January 27, 2009

This is the complete transcript to a letter home written by Corporal Erastus Winters of the 50th Ohio Infantry in General Tecumseh Sherman’s army.  He talks about the fall of Atlanta and fighting General Hood’s Rebels across Georgia, and his feelings about the Rebel sympathizers back home.  This letter is currently up for auction on [...]

1831 Annual Return of 2d Brigade of 7th Division GA militia

| January 25, 2009

Here is a bit of history you don’t see every day. This is the annual “return” (report) of the 2nd Brigade of the 7th Division, Georgia State Militia. At this time in our nation’s history, most of the armed forces were state militias, and in Georgia’s case, their troops were for anything but show. Tensions [...]

Confederate Veteran Writes Former Commander

| January 19, 2009

May 26, 1900 letter written by BP Haynes, late Second Sergeant of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry, to his former brigade commander, General WL “Old Tige” Cabell. In part: “My Dear General and Friend — It is with pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of three copies of your report of the part that Cabell’s Brigade took [...]

1910 Christmas Postcard: Santa on Early Curtiss Flyer

| January 17, 2009

Just listed tonight is a delightful 1910 color with embossed gilt holiday postcard featuring Santa Claus flying what appears to be a very early Glenn Curtiss “aeroplane” over a town, and using a signal lantern to beam “A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL” into the sky: eBay listing for 1910 Holiday Postcard – Santa in [...]

Blogging Historic Auction Listings

| January 16, 2009

As you can see below, I am making an effort to post the auction listings of interesting items that I have had consigned. I hope that you find this interesting and educational, even if you don’t bid (but why wouldn’t you, on such interesting stuff?)

1836: US Army Seals Border as Texas Revolution Rages

| January 15, 2009

(This item ends Jan-17-09 18:02:16 PST) Description: ALS 2pp. 4to, Natchitoches, Louisiana, March 21, 1836. Sutler and former explorer and Indian scout George Kennerly writes home to St. Louis as US troops on the border of the US and Mexico at the Sabine River await the arrival of General Gaines. Gaines, commander of the Southwest [...]