President of the military commission trying the conspirators involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. ALS signed “D. Hunter, Maj. Gen,” one page both sides, 4.5 x 7.5, October 4. Letter to General E. L. Viele. In full: “Will you have the kindness to send the enclosed note by first flag of truce. It is to our niece and adopted daughter, who is unfortunately the wife of a rebel Genl., but she herself is a loyal and true woman, and now wishes to return to our protection. She was induced to go South in July on account of a wound received by her husband.” Matted and framed with a small oval portrait of Hunter to an overall size of 13.5 x 12.5. Intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and scattered moderate toning and staining, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Christies Sale 2361, December 3, 2010.
Hunter writes regarding his niece and “adopted” daughter, Maria Kinzie Steuart. Her husband, Brigadier General George Steuart, fought for the Confederacy. Maria at first stayed with her inlaws in Baltimore, but found them to be “rank secessionists,” and declaring herself a Republican, she returned to Hunter’s home in the North. When her husband was wounded at Cross Keys in May 1862, Maria went south to Georgia in order to care for him, which dates this letter to October 1862. Steuart had suffered a severe shoulder injury and took nearly a year to recuperate, at which point she returned north; once recovered, he fought at Gettysburg and was later captured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was exchanged in 1864 and was with Robert E. Lee at the surrender at Appomattox. A remarkable letter from Hunter chronicling a family torn apart by the Civil War. RRAuction COA.
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