Teacher and humanitarian (1821–1912) best known for organizing the relief organization the American Red Cross. ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, no date. Letter to Colonel O. L. Manns regarding the disbursement of her brother’s property in Norfolk, Virginia. After listing his horses and mules, and the desired prices for all, Barton proceeds to talk about cotton and several collections necessary to settle all accounts. In part: “General Rucker Dept. Q.M. of this Dept. informs me that good mules sell here for $195…a piece—and he presumes they are much the same at Norfolk…The saddle horse had best be sold at auction…as he has lost an eye he could not be turned in to the Government, he is a splendid saddle horse…
As the Harney note cannot be found but was as you recollect acknowledged by his agent M. Taylor (who said he gave it) in your office I would like to have you collect that. When the note was given, and when my brother would have collected it had he been at liberty to do so. North Carolina money was worth fifty-five cts (.50) on the dollar and Mr. Harney had the cotton in its best market days, and disposed of it at a good profit to himself. I am of the opinion that he could in justice pay no less than fifty cents on the dollar on the note.
The claim against Budd D. Hutchins should be settled in the same note. Hutchins acknowledged to Gen’l Butler in my presence that the money which they took was worth fifty cents on the dollar at the time they took it, and General Butler also in my presence ordered them to pay my brother $ the sum of ($350)…M.C. Money found to be missing from the original packages when counted by the general’s direction.
If you please Col. I will leave the matter in your hands, to dispose of the property and make the several collections. Remunerate yourself liberally for your trouble and labor and send me a draft for the Balance at Washington, care Saml. B. Barton.”
In very good to fine condition, with scattered toning and soiling to last page, lightly affecting signature, and a diagonal crease to both pages.
In this interesting letter, penned during the Civil War, Barton twice references “General Butler”—General Benjamin Franklin Butler, the Union officer who had been stationed in Virginia and to whose men Barton had attended. The comments here on “North Carolina money” are references to Confederate currency—also a noteworthy occurrence as she provided aid, comfort, and medical attention to Union troops on some of the most gruesome battlefields of the Civil War. For three years, Barton followed army operations throughout Virginia, and tended to wounded after battles in Petersburg, Richmond, Charleston, and Fredericksburg, earning her national acclaim. In 1864, Union General Benjamin Butler appointed Barton as the ‘lady in charge’ of the hospitals at the front in Virginia. Excellent association. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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