1864 – Letter from a recently returned friend to an American fur-trader in western Canada informing him about President Lincoln’s re-election and General Sherman’s March to the Sea

Envelope or Cover. Very good. This three-page letter from Harvey Buell in Johnston, Ohio to his former co-worker, “Jacob y Rhods” at “Linden Post Office, Canada West” is dated 10 December 1864. It is written on a scarce pictorial lettersheet with a full-page illustration titled “Battle of Fair Oaks – June 1 1862” that Buell has captioned “Down with treason.” It is enclosed in a “circle of stars” flag patriotic envelope, franked with a 10-cent green Washington stamp (Scott #35) canceled by a circular Orangeville, Ohio postmark. In nice shape.

In the letter, Buell writes in part:

“You wanted to know how [the] Election went of[f] (truncated) Old Abe is Elected No Mistake and that By an Overwhelming majority but it is the Stillest time that I Ever Saw after a presidential Election. . ..”

He also provides an update on the war.

“War News is verry Still at present Shermans is making a Hole through the South about 70 miles wide All the News that we get of much importance is from Shermans Army. . ..”

Buell encourages Jake and his brother Bill to return to the United States suggesting that he had returned to Ohio after once working with them as fur trappers for the company.

“You say the times are Hard Where you are I know they are and I feel Sorry for you Both Jake, and Bill work as hard as you can to please [as] I Did when I was there, But I Had Rather be in the army than in Canada.” He also notes that “Elizabeth wants you to Bring Her a Set of Ladies furs and I want you to get my pay of the Old Gentleman which is $3.00 three Dollars. . ..” . The Battle of Fair Oaks is better known as the Battle of Seven Pines. It occurred relatively early in the war, and though the outcome is considered inconclusive, the Confederates did halt a Union advance on Richmond. However, the image depicts the Union’s Irish Brigades bayonet charge on the second day which left the Union army in control of the battlefield as the Confederate force withdrew towards Richmond. Most importantly, the Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded during the fight, after which General Robert E. Lee received command of the Confederate Army.

An exceptional piece of Civil War history. Patriotic illustrated envelopes and lettersheets that were sent to Canada are scarce, and I know of no others that were sent to the Hudson Bay Company’s hinterlands. The letter sheet itself is scarce and depicts an early battle that saved Richmond, first tested the combat resolve of famed Irish Brigade, and resulted in General Lee’s rise to command of the Confederate Army. Additionally, the content provides concise assessments of both Lincoln’s Re-election and Sherman’s March to the Sea. . (Inventory #: 010430)