April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2023
Lot consists of 3 items from the Dorsey family of Maryland. (A) Very scarce copy of R.E. Lee’s September 8, 1862 proclamation “To The People of Maryland.” Issued at Frederick, Maryland just 9 days before Antietam, Lee explains the entrance of Confederate Army into Maryland as an effort to protect their constitutional rights against the “wrongs and outrages” inflicted upon them as if they were a “conquered Province.” Lee’s hopes for an influx of Maryland volunteers were not fulfilled and the army would begin its return to Virginia just 10 days later in the wake of the bloodiest single day of the war. CONDITION: Very good. Minor fold lines. A very scarce document. (B) Tintype image in half case measuring approximately 3 - 1/8” x 3 - 5/8”, identified by the family in a notarized letter as “Frank Dorsey” who “before the war” was in the 1st South Carolina. The letter says he went “to Baltimore” to enlist, likely a slip for going “from Baltimore.” This is likely Francis Dorsey, who served in Captain Simkins’ Company, later Company E, Butler’s 1st Regiment South Carolina Infantry, appointed Corporal on March 5, 1861, indicating he joined up just months after South Carolina’s ordinance of secession. He was returned to the ranks as of April 13 and sentenced to forfeit his pay by a court martial and is listed as present and a private through October. He appears to have served his 1 year enlistment, then re-enlisted for another year in Company F Charleston Battalion of South Carolina Volunteers in March 1862. He is listed as present through the end of April, but deserted some time prior to July 23, 1862. The image shows a young man in U.S. style fatigue blouse and forage cap. CONDITION: Very good. (C) Autographed copy of Bradley T. Johnson’s 1884 address on the “First Maryland Campaign” made before the VA Division of the Association of the ANV. CONDITION: Good. Losses to paper wrap, and dedication, but full signature of Johnson.
Item Dimensions: 8" X 6"