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Lot #240
James Barbour Terrill

Rare family letter by the 'brother against brother' Confederate general, killed in action days before the Battle of Cold Harbor

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

Rare family letter by the 'brother against brother' Confederate general, killed in action days before the Battle of Cold Harbor

Confederate general (1838-1864). As colonel of the 13th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Terrill fought in nearly every major battle of the Eastern Theater. He was in Winchester during the Gettysburg Campaign but later fought in the Overland Campaign, including Spotsylvania Court House. In May 1864, the regiment was deployed to attack Union lines at Bethesda Church, near Mechanicsville. Terrill was shot but continued to give orders before being shot in the head. The next day, the Confederate Senate confirmed his nomination as brigadier general. His brother, William Rufus Terrill, fought as a Union general, epitomizing the notion of 'brother against brother' in the American Civil War. Rare and poignant ANS signed “In haste, your Brother, J. B. T.,” one page, 5 x 8.5, no date circa December 1857. Note penned to his older brother, "George," written on the reverse of a letter written to him by his Aunt Jane in Charlottesville, dated December 11, 1857, noting that his younger brother John Morton Terrill is gravely ill from typhoid fever. James writes, in full: "John is very ill at Mr. Wolfe's in Charlottesville with the Typhoid fever. Aunt Jane requests me to forward this to you." In fine condition, with some light toning and edge creasing. John died as a teenager about a month later in early 1858.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #565 - Ended September 12, 2019





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