Charles B. Wheeler (1865 - ) Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance during World War I. TLS. 1 page. February 9, 1917. On imprinted Watertown Arsenal letterhead. To Colonel Alston Hamilton, “I was very much surprised to see orders in the Boston papers detaching you from duty with the Ordnance Board, and I am just sending you a line to tell you how much I regret that the Department is to be deprived of your services, which have been at all times so valuable and so freely given. I also regret very much that your detachment from the Proving Ground will probably prevent your coming here to Watertown and observing what we are doing in the way of gun carriages and armor piercing projectiles. I shall trust, however, that the “fortunes of war” will at some future time bring you up in this direction, and that then I shall have the pleasure of showing off this little plant. Very sincerely, C. B. Wheeler”. Folds. Fine.

GEORGE HOBBS (1806-186?) Massachusetts businessman, soldier and a prominent citizen of Worcester. Hobbs became a commander of Worcester’s city guards in 1840 and rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the state militia. In addition, Hobbs served as a chief of Worcester’s fire department and as a city alderman. Document Signed, “Geo. Hobbs,” as brigadier general. One page, 8” x 10”. Headquarters, 5th Brig. 3rd M.V.M.” 1845. The document reads, in part: “ … The Acting Qrt. Master General will furnish a drum & fife, or bugle, to the order of the commander of the Gardner Greys [?] … ” Some light toning at edges. Slight paper loss at edges of fold. Overall Fine

JAMES IRVINE (1735-1819) Pennsylvania soldier and politician. Irvine served as an officer in the Continental army, a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and Vice-President of Pennsylvania. Document Signed, “James Irvine.” One page. New York. November 30, 1780: To Jos. Loring. The document reads: “I James Irvine of Philadelphia Pennsylvania do Acknowledge myself a Prisoner of War to the King of Great Britain and having leave from his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton to go home on my paraole [sic] do hereby pledge my faith & word of honor that I will not do or say anything contrary to the interest of his Majesty or his Government & that whenever required so to do I will repair to whatever place his Excellency or any other his Majesty’s Commander in Chief shall please to order me – Given under my hand New in New York. This 30 Nov. 1780. James Irvine B. Genl.” Brigadier general James Irvine was taken prisoner by the British after a skirmish at Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, during which he suffered injury to his neck and lost three fingers on his left hand. He was held for nearly four years before being released in June of 1781. Irvine also played a role in planning the defense of Philadelphia against suspected British attacks, earning the praise of General George Washington. Toning and prior repair to folds, Else Fine.

TLS. 1 page. January 12, 1927. On imprinted personal letterhead. To Colonel Alston Hamilton; “I have just read in the register of your approaching promotion, and I hasten to extend my hearty congratulations. Hurrah: for the old Fourth District. I sincerely hope this will eventually bring you back here some day, either as Corps Area, or District Commander. We golf nuts always like to see golf enthusiasts in command. Much to my delight, General J. L. Hines has taken up golf….John T. Knight” Folds.

William Heath (1737-1814). American brigadier general and political leader. Heath commanded Massachusetts forces during the final stage of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, assisted in the defense of New York, urging Washington not to abandon the strategic city. Following Benedict Arnold’s treason, Heath assumed command of the Highland Department. Following the war, Heath was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, but declined the office. Document Signed, “W. Heath M.G.” One page. Headquarters Boston. April 2, 1777. To Ebenezer Hancock Deputy Paymaster General to the Forces of the United States of America. EBENEZER HANCOCK Deputy Paymaster-General of the Continental Army and brother of John Hancock. The document reads, in part: “Pay to Charles Miller Esq Deputy Commissary General Twenty Thousand Dollars to enable him to defray the necessary expenses of the said Department purchasing provisions for which this shall be his sufficient warrant … W Heath M.G.” Usual folds and one small spot of soiling at center left edge, else Fine.

Sir William Samuel Johnson (ca. 1715 – 1774). British Indian Agent in Colonial America. Cut signature. 3” x 1 3/8” mounted to a larger engraved portrait measuring 5 ” x 8” overall. “W. Johnson”. Nice Bold example. Fine.

James Agate (1877 – 1947). British diarist and critic. ALS. 1 page. 5 ¾” x 7 ¼”. On imprinted letterhead. Holborn, March 19, 1935. To “Dear Willie; I bow to your ruling about the play and as a matter of fact, I agree entirely with everything you say about it. But what a charming letter! ….May I print it in my next book, where the whole tail & …adventure is being given more less in extreme to show what a … success in the theatre is. I am saying that this is how a play of quality should be turned down. Am very grateful to you…James Agate” Fine.

FRANCES TROLLOPE (1780 – 1863). English writer, championed the anti-slavery and child employment causes. ANS. 1 page. 4” x 5”. No date. To “The Lady Davy”; “Most joyfully dear Madam will I profit by your obliging permission and wait upon you on Monday evening at a more profitable tim to myself…”

[WWII] Unusual War correspondence lot of 19 pieces between an Italian Prisoner of War, Cesario Espisito, who is being held at Camp Wheeler in Georgia, and his brother, Lorenzo Espisito, who is trying to contact him. The group consists of eight “PRISONER OF WAR” marked correspondence, with the U.S. Censored stamp. Written in Italian and untranscribed, Cesario relates his sad story to his sibling, who is an American citizen. Lorenzo’s attempts to visit him consist of Western Union telegrams from the Red Cross as well as “Headquarters Army Service Forces” letterhead signed by Colonel Breese from the POW Division and Captain Boudreaux, the Intelligence Officer at the Headquarters of the Camp. Among the details noted in this correspondence are that “a number of our prisoners were transferred temporarily to Fort Benning” and that in the near future Cesario may be transferred from Camp Wheeler to an “unknown destination.” Fascinating lot that highlights the poignant struggle of two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of World War II.