[Civil War – Black Soldiers]. Camp 1st U. S. Colored Troops In the Field Va Nov. 12th/64 I certify on honor, that on the 27th day of October 1864 at and in the vicinity of White Oaks before Richmond Va, the articles enumerated below were lost, under the following circumstances. The Regt. to which my company belongs after a severe march from 5 a.m. to a short time before sundown being almost constantly on foot took up a position on the extreme right of the 18th Army Corps in their recent movement on the left of the enemy’s line before Richmond Va. After running considerable distance the Regt. deployed in thick under brush and moved at the same gait for considerable distance by the flank to our right, the men being by this time nearly exhausted, into an open field. About half a mile to our left was the Rebel line of works, which opened immediately with a battery upon us. We then fronted to the left and charged the works, which were carried, with two pieces of Artillery. We were however ordered to retire, as the rebels were massing upon our flank and we had no supports; In the charge many of the men were compelled to throw away their extra trappings to keep up, while others lost theirs by the breakage of the fastenings. In the charge Two men were killed and ten wounded belonging to my company. Our dead and severely wounded were left on the field, those that were helped off, lost their (??) as they had to be helped along for considerable distance before army ambulances could be found. The following is a list of the articles so lost. (17) Seventeen Haversocks (13) Thirteen Canteens (2) Two Shelter Tents (2) Two Pairs Great Coat Straps Nathan L. Bishop The regiment was organized in the District of Columbia in May and June of 1863. The incident detailed within this letter took place during the Battle of Fair Oaks. While a retained copy, the letter is signed at the conclusion by four Black soldiers, 1st Lieut. Nathan L. Bishop, and three sergeants, Henry Green, Robert Bouldin and John Ross An exceptional letter detailing colored troops at the during the Battle of Fair Oaks and signed by four Black soldiers.

Manuscript Document Signed. To Joseph Clarke, Esq. General Treasurer of the colony of Rhode Island “Please to pay unto the Bearer hereof Benjamin; Vaughan what is due Me upon the account of my son Samuel Straight who deceased in the Service of Government in his return home in December 1762 from Oswego on the Lake Ontario from your to serve. Her mark, Sarah X Straight.”

7 ¼” x 3 1/8”. Manuscript Document Signed by both Henry Marchant and Esek Hopkins. “State of Rhode Island. The General Assembly at December Session 1779 ordered One Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-five Pounds 9/9 to be paid to Henry Marchant out of the General Treasury.” Docketed by Esek Hopkins on verso. Esek Hopkins (1718 – 1802) Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War, he was relieved of his command in 1778. He served the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786. Signed by Marchant on verso in receipt of payment. Henry Marchant (1741 – 1796) Lawyer from Newport, Rhode Island and a United States Federal Judge. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779 when this document was signed. Folds and uneven right margin. Overall Fine. An interesting Association.

1786, CT. Anderson CT Note issued as payment for service in the War in which “The State of Connecticut doth owe unto Benjamin Ripley who hath served in the Connecticut Line of the continental Army, the sum of seven pounds nine shillings & two pence…in gold or Silver, on or before the first Day of June, A.D. 1788.” A soldier’s family would typically be issued four of these notes, each redeemable in a different year. Singed as treasure by Peter Colt. Punch cancelled at signature. A nice example of Revolutionary War fiscal paper.

“I am not at all surprised that the Indians should be uneasy at the recall of the Commissioners without others being appointed by the Province…” Sir Henry Moore (1713 – 1769). British Colonial leader, Royal governor of New York from 1765 – 1765. ALS. 2 ¼ pages. 6 ¼” x 8”. New York, Augst. 21, 1769. Sr.I am extremely concerned to hear of the accident mentioned in your letter to me & Hope that before this comes to hand, you will be free from all the effects of it. I am not at all surprised that the Indians should be uneasy at the recall of the Commissioners without others being appointed by the Province in their ( ), & mentioned my apprehensions of it to some members of the assembly before their proragation, but it was without effect and , & the inadequate provision made for the Interpreters and Smiths shows how little the matter in agitation was then understood; I shall renew my application to the members in Town, that they may be better prepared at the opening of the approaching session, where I hope every thing will be settled to the satisfaction of the Indians, & shall to morrow lay before His Majesty’s Council what you have urg’d upon that Head. The division of the County of Albany has been brought upon the carpet, in almost every session of assembly since my arrival here; All joyn in allowing it to be necessary, but they cannot agree on the like of division. I have never seen the petition mention’d in your letter concerning this matter, & shall be obliged to you for your sentiments on it, in support of it; as in all probability this affair will be reviv’d again in the next session, I should be glad to be prepar’d for any objections which may be rais’d to you plan. Nothing by my absence from this City & my indisposition since my return, has prevented my ( ) to you on the subjects of your former letter. I beg you will make my Compts. & apology to Col. Johnson, for not having forwarded his commission sooner, I can assure him it was order’d immediately upon the receipt of your letter & the delay has only been owing to the cause here set forth, but shall be dispatched immediately. I am with great truth & regard, Sr. your most obed.t & huml. Sert. H. Moore” Moore pens this letter just three weeks prior to his sudden death in New York City on September 11, 1769. Docketing is in Johnson’s hand. Fine.

Gregory Peck (1916 – 2003), American Actor, named one of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute. DS. 8 ½” x 3 ½”. Check issued on “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine Limited Partnership” account. Dated November 16, 1971, drawn on the United California Bank and payable to Norman L. Webster in the amount of $223.49. Bank stamp cancellations not affecting Peck’s signature. Very Fine. The Catonsville Nine were nine Catholic activists who protested the Vietnam War by burning draft files. A play was written about the events and in 1972 a film version of the play was produced by Gregory Peck.

AMOS LINCOLN. (1753-1829). American officer during the Revolutionary War. Manuscript Document Signed, “Amos Lincoln Capt.” One page, 9 ½” x8”. Boston. January 1, 1781. The document is a return of “the company of Matrosses [Matrosses were Gunners' Assistants whose duties included guarding the guns and wagons on the march and assisting when breakdowns occurred] in the Service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commanded by Captain Amos Lincoln…” An inspired patriot, Amos Lincoln was among the brave men who disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians and destroyed numerous crates of imported tea during the Boston Tea Party. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Amos served as a private in Stark’s regiment at Bunker Hill before attaining the rank of Captain in Craft’s Artillery Regiment, in which capacity he commanded Castle William in Boston Harbor for a time. In addition to these posts, Amos also served at Bennington, Brandywine and Monmouth during America’s struggle for independence. Outside of his varied military experiences, Amos was married to two daughters of fellow patriot Paul Revere and was aide to Massachusetts’ governor John Hancock. Slight separation at folds and some paper loss at bottom edge. Else Fine.

[American Revolution – Medical History]. Partly-printed Pay-table Committee Document Signed by Adams indicating receipt of his payment for serving as a Surgeon. Signed at lower right “David Adams, Surgeon” Accompanied by a manuscript certification of service signed by the Selectmen of Canterbury. David Adams. From Griswold, Connecticut, Adams served as a surgeon in the 4th Regiment of the Connecticut line the Continental Army from 1777 – 1781. Nice revolutionary war medical related item.

Ronnie Walter Cunningham (born 1932), Astronaut from 1963 to 1971, Lunar Module pilot in the Apollo 7 mission. DS. 6” x 2 ¾”. Houston, Texas, Oct. 23, 1992. Bank check drawn on River Oaks Bank and payable to Post Oak Bank in the amount of $2266.57. Signed by R.W. Cunningham. Bank stamp cancellation at center not affecting Cunningham’s signature. Very Fine.