SWORD AND WARTIME “BULL RUN” LETTER OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE I. BROWN 2ND MAINE INFANTRY.

Included in this lot is an “as found” model 1850 US foot officer’s sword. Sword is in overall fine condition with a bright, frosty etched blade with patriotic motifs. Accompanying orig scabbard is sound and solid with matching patina to mounts. Long 4-pg (quarto) letter was written from Camp Rice, Arlington Heights, VA August 6, 1861. Lt. Brown is writing to his wife and family telling of his travels to the Manassas Battle Field in detail for 5 days July 16 till the date of the battle he had encountered many rebels and he and his men had captured many chickens and pigs and had had quite a feast before 1 am July 21st, 1861 “…we started for the battle or Bulls Run. Bloody Run is the name of it now…the battle commenced at 8 am…I fell on my face…cannon shot and shell went right over my head, this falling on my face saved my head this time, one of the shells struck a few yards from me and bursted. If I had been standing up it would hurt me…as soon as this shell went off I got up and started but they gave me another shot before I could get to the woods but did not hurt me…I had to run back the same way and take our wounded man and leave as fast as we could towards the house where our wounded stay. The cavalry was close to us when I got to the house I was all gone and could not go quite so well and wanted to. So Rubin Huchings took me in charge he helped me down to the bridge and it was so crowded with people that we could not get across it and we forded the river, some got drowned and the most got through safe…”. There are many more interesting details to this letter that should be read by perspective bidders. You can read hundreds and hundreds of Civil War letters before you find such a detailed letter on this early event of the war. Transcription of the letter as follows: A sketch from Bull Run by our own artist, _____ Brown Camp Rice Arlington Heights August 6th, 1861 Dear wife and children, I suppose that you would like to have a sketch or a line of our or my travels from Falls Church. We left there July the 16, 1861 for Fairfax Court house. Did not see much on our rout untill we got to ____ depot. There the rebels had burnt all the ____. We stopped just the other side of the depot in a field with some 14,000 troops. Just as we had got laid down to sleep and some had gone to sleep one of the officers horses got frightened and ran over every one that he chose. He ran over a number of our Reg and hurt some quite badly but did not hurt any of our company. We arose early the next morning and eat our hard bread & beef.. and at 5am we left for Centerville or Fairfax Court house. Not much of anything transpired untill we got to the court house or in sight as we went up on the hill just above side of the town. Our artillery was behind and just as we got upon this hill. We fell out by the side of the road and let theirs park. One Batery ____ south. One fellow on the carriage was going fast or fell off on his butt but got up again and caught up with the Batery and got on. As this battery was firing at and into the town to see what was there out come the Rebels and retreated double quick. I could see them plain from the hill. As soon as this was noticed we advanced on them. We had 2 regiments out as ____ one on each side of the road. We had to march slowly so as to be sure not to get into any traps. We tried to catch them by going around through Germantown. But just before we got there our ____ found a hedge across the road where we were going. The rebels had fell all the trees that was any where nigh the road and on both sides of the road. So we had to wait untill ____ and some others chopped it away. As soon as we got through this we discovered a Batery this side of Germantown and we brought up our rifled canon and fired a few shots into the battery and the rebels left quick enough. The shot went through the Batery and through the top of a house in the town and a black man was very much frightened when the shot went through. The rebels left a lot of harm and other things. We marched over there Batery, the very place where our shot went through, stoped a few moments to get some watter in the town and put up the Stares & Stripes. Some of the boys wrung all of the chickens necks and killed all the pigs they had time to. We got a pig and roasted him that night when we stopped. He was very good indeed. We laid in an open field this night. Had an alarm about 2 in the morning got ready to fight but the rebels went back and we laid down but did not sleep much. Took cavelry all sub__ horses and all took up our line of march early in the morning found trees fell acrost the road but soon cut them away. We marched today and as guard for the teems in rear of all the rest. We marched into Centerville without fireing maney guns, stopped this side of the town 2 dayes to rest. Started July 21st 1861, 1, oclock in the morning we started for the Battle on Bull Run, Bloody run is the name of it now. We traveled on slowley and let the other regiments catch up with us. The battle commenced at 8am, we took some ____ in the morning got a bridge already to but across the river in place of one that the Rebels burnt when the ____ ordered our Reg to start for the Rebels we went double quick time about 9 miles with the sun beating down upon us very hot and there was not a breath of wind. We throwed away out blankets and haversacks and some throwed away there coats. The ground was showered with blankets etc. When we got into line of battle we were all beat out. We marched right on to a masked Batery, got within a few, rode and received the Rebel fire, the rest it is not best to write. The battle lasted 10 houres. We were ordered to retreat ____ before we did last on our side 1,000. On there 4,000 there forse was 9,000 and ours was but 10,000 that was in the battle. We marched that night all night, arrived in Alexanrdra the next day about 2 in the afternoon, got into ____ that was vacated and staid the until we got rested. Left Alexandra the 24 for the Heights And then took up out line of march for Arlington Heights arrived there about noon and found some of our Reg that had come through by the way of the Falls Church. Some of them we thought lost untill we got home and found them all safe. But did not find Charles Morris and some other that were taken prisoner. Tell Cate to be of good cheer. I think that she will see Charles again for he is not killed nor wounded as we know of. He is a noble fellow he ___ to favor me all he could when he was lugging that wounded man away. He was shot through the beley the ball went come out through him right by the side of his backbone, but he did not complain in the least. The Reg was all ahead of me when we was lugging E. Perkins off.. we carried him into a log house so as to run ahead and get a ambulance to carry him in but the Rebels opened a battery just then, some troopes that were resting come out into a open field that was between the house and the woods but the shot was flying faster than they wanted it to and there was not one that would go and I started as hard as I could run. The same time keeping my eye upon there battery. I had got about half way acrost the field when I see the smoke of there baterer then I fell on my face as quick as you please and the cannon shot and shell some 2 in number went right over my head. This falling on my face saved my head this time one of the shell struck a few yards from me and ____ if I had been standing up it would have hurt me. I want you to send and get Harpers Weekly or I will a paper that has the engravings of all the battles that is fought now. Harpers Weekly is as good as aney of them. As soon as this shell went off I got up and started but they gave me another shot before I could get to the woods but did not hurt me. I got over to where the teeme was said to be and they had all gone. Not one was to be got. Then I had to run back the same way and take our wounded man and leave as fast as we could towards the house where our wounded lay. The Calvary was close on to us. When I got to the house I was all gone and could not go quite so well as I wanted to so Ruben Huchings took me in charge. He helped me down to the bridge and it was so crowded with people that we could not get a crost on it and we forded the river. Some got drownded and the most got through safe. The watter was some 4 to 9 feet deep. Some fell down and the rest ran of over them , heavy wheeler they shoved of from the bridge he went down but come up all safe and got clear. There was a ball went through his leg just on the side. Did not lame him aney. When we were at this place the Rebels fired shot and shell in amongst us felled quite and wounded some. If I could have had my thoughts I could of picked up riffles of all kinds but some of the time those was 2 men helping me along. We stoped a short time at Centerville and then marched on to Alexandra and kept on until we got there the next day in the afternoon about 2 oclock. Well I think that this will do for one battle, when the company laged or fell back you could hear Leient ____ Browns voice over all the rest to forward for we were driving the scamps . The most of the time he was a head of the company and he would give the order to forward my brave boyes forward. The Rebels are running from us and they were. What saved me I do not know and perhaps I never will. Once as the Rebels fired as I dropped into a little ravine where the watter had had cut the dirt out. As I got up there was 8 or ten bullet holes right behind where I fell. So you see they intended to have me the first of it, the same bullet that wounded Jack Leewis killed Sewel Bonden. It went wright into his temple, he did not live but a short time and Bealing fell and did not hardley breathe before he expired. We were then ordered to retreat into the woods , this is when and where I found Perkins, he luged very heavy but I done the same by him as I would my own brother. I will now bring this weary letter to a close, please excuse all that is not wright written here if you please. Your affectionate Husband Leieut George I Brown from GA. SIZE: Framed letter is 24″ x 21″ and sword is 38″ overall. CONDITION: Sword overall is in very good to fine. Blade is mostly bright with scattered staining. Etched panels have a pebbled frosted background exhibiting a large furled American flag and the letters “US” in a central panel on other side of blade. Scabbard body has chipping to finish but is overall sound and solid though drag is loose. Leather grip wrap is complete retaining much of its orig polish though worn and scuffed at high spots. Brass scabbard mounts, hilt and pommel are uncleaned and have yellow brass and dark mustard patinas. Letter is very good overall with typical cracking and separations at folds. Spots of acid burn. Letter was not removed from frame to see how it was mounted. 9-93461 (2,000-4,000) – Lot 2287

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2287	$1,481.25	SWORD AND WARTIME “BULL RUN” LETTER OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE I. BROWN 2ND MAINE INFANTRY. Included in this lot is an “as found” model 1850 US foot officer’s sword. Sword is in overall fine condition with a bright, frosty etched blade with patriotic motifs. Accompanying orig scabbard is sound and solid with matching patina to mounts. Long 4-pg (quarto) letter was written from Camp Rice, Arlington Heights, VA August 6, 1861. Lt. Brown is writing to his wife and family telling of his travels to the Manassas Battle Field in detail for 5 days July 16 till the date of the battle he had encountered many rebels and he and his men had captured many chickens and pigs and had had quite a feast before 1 am July 21st, 1861 “…we started for the battle or Bulls Run. Bloody Run is the name of it now…the battle commenced at 8 am…I fell on my face…cannon shot and shell went right over my head, this falling on my face saved my head this time, one of the shells struck a few yards from me and bursted. If I had been standing up it would hurt me…as soon as this shell went off I got up and started but they gave me another shot before I could get to the woods but did not hurt me…I had to run back the same way and take our wounded man and leave as fast as we could towards the house where our wounded stay. The cavalry was close to us when I got to the house I was all gone and could not go quite so well and wanted to. So Rubin Huchings took me in charge he helped me down to the bridge and it was so crowded with people that we could not get across it and we forded the river, some got drowned and the most got through safe…”. There are many more interesting details to this letter that should be read by perspective bidders. You can read hundreds and hundreds of Civil War letters before you find such a detailed letter on this early event of the war. Transcription of the letter as follows: A sketch from Bull Run by our own artist, _____ Brown Camp Rice Arlington Heights August 6th, 1861 Dear wife and children, I suppose that you would like to have a sketch or a line of our or my travels from Falls Church. We left there July the 16, 1861 for Fairfax Court house. Did not see much on our rout untill we got to ____ depot. There the rebels had burnt all the ____. We stopped just the other side of the depot in a field with some 14,000 troops. Just as we had got laid down to sleep and some had gone to sleep one of the officers horses got frightened and ran over every one that he chose. He ran over a number of our Reg and hurt some quite badly but did not hurt any of our company. We arose early the next morning and eat our hard bread & beef.. and at 5am we left for Centerville or Fairfax Court house. Not much of anything transpired untill we got to the court house or in sight as we went up on the hill just above side of the town. Our artillery was behind and just as we got upon this hill. We fell out by the side of the road and let theirs park. One Batery ____ south. One fellow on the carriage was going fast or fell off on his butt but got up again and caught up with the Batery and got on. As this battery was firing at and into the town to see what was there out come the Rebels and retreated double quick. I could see them plain from the hill. As soon as this was noticed we advanced on them. We had 2 regiments out as ____ one on each side of the road. We had to march slowly so as to be sure not to get into any traps. We tried to catch them by going around through Germantown. But just before we got there our ____ found a hedge across the road where we were going. The rebels had fell all the trees that was any where nigh the road and on both sides of the road. So we had to wait untill ____ and some others chopped it away. As soon as we got through this we discovered a Batery this side of Germantown and we brought up our rifled canon and fired a few shots into the battery and the rebels left quick enough. The shot went through the Batery and through the top of a house in the town and a black man was very much frightened when the shot went through. The rebels left a lot of harm and other things. We marched over there Batery, the very place where our shot went through, stoped a few moments to get some watter in the town and put up the Stares & Stripes. Some of the boys wrung all of the chickens necks and killed all the pigs they had time to. We got a pig and roasted him that night when we stopped. He was very good indeed. We laid in an open field this night. Had an alarm about 2 in the morning got ready to fight but the rebels went back and we laid down but did not sleep much. Took cavelry all sub__ horses and all took up our line of march early in the morning found trees fell acrost the road but soon cut them away. We marched today and as guard for the teems in rear of all the rest. We marched into Centerville without fireing maney guns, stopped this side of the town 2 dayes to rest. Started July 21st 1861, 1, oclock in the morning we started for the Battle on Bull Run, Bloody run is the name of it now. We traveled on slowley and let the other regiments catch up with us. The battle commenced at 8am, we took some ____ in the morning got a bridge already to but across the river in place of one that the Rebels burnt when the ____ ordered our Reg to start for the Rebels we went double quick time about 9 miles with the sun beating down upon us very hot and there was not a breath of wind. We throwed away out blankets and haversacks and some throwed away there coats. The ground was showered with blankets etc. When we got into line of battle we were all beat out. We marched right on to a masked Batery, got within a few, rode and received the Rebel fire, the rest it is not best to write. The battle lasted 10 houres. We were ordered to retreat ____ before we did last on our side 1,000. On there 4,000 there forse was 9,000 and ours was but 10,000 that was in the battle. We marched that night all night, arrived in Alexanrdra the next day about 2 in the afternoon, got into ____ that was vacated and staid the until we got rested. Left Alexandra the 24 for the Heights And then took up out line of march for Arlington Heights arrived there about noon and found some of our Reg that had come through by the way of the Falls Church. Some of them we thought lost untill we got home and found them all safe. But did not find Charles Morris and some other that were taken prisoner. Tell Cate to be of good cheer. I think that she will see Charles again for he is not killed nor wounded as we know of. He is a noble fellow he ___ to favor me all he could when he was lugging that wounded man away. He was shot through the beley the ball went come out through him right by the side of his backbone, but he did not complain in the least. The Reg was all ahead of me when we was lugging E. Perkins off.. we carried him into a log house so as to run ahead and get a ambulance to carry him in but the Rebels opened a battery just then, some troopes that were resting come out into a open field that was between the house and the woods but the shot was flying faster than they wanted it to and there was not one that would go and I started as hard as I could run. The same time keeping my eye upon there battery. I had got about half way acrost the field when I see the smoke of there baterer then I fell on my face as quick as you please and the cannon shot and shell some 2 in number went right over my head. This falling on my face saved my head this time one of the shell struck a few yards from me and ____ if I had been standing up it would have hurt me. I want you to send and get Harpers Weekly or I will a paper that has the engravings of all the battles that is fought now. Harpers Weekly is as good as aney of them. As soon as this shell went off I got up and started but they gave me another shot before I could get to the woods but did not hurt me. I got over to where the teeme was said to be and they had all gone. Not one was to be got. Then I had to run back the same way and take our wounded man and leave as fast as we could towards the house where our wounded lay. The Calvary was close on to us. When I got to the house I was all gone and could not go quite so well as I wanted to so Ruben Huchings took me in charge. He helped me down to the bridge and it was so crowded with people that we could not get a crost on it and we forded the river. Some got drownded and the most got through safe. The watter was some 4 to 9 feet deep. Some fell down and the rest ran of over them , heavy wheeler they shoved of from the bridge he went down but come up all safe and got clear. There was a ball went through his leg just on the side. Did not lame him aney. When we were at this place the Rebels fired shot and shell in amongst us felled quite and wounded some. If I could have had my thoughts I could of picked up riffles of all kinds but some of the time those was 2 men helping me along. We stoped a short time at Centerville and then marched on to Alexandra and kept on until we got there the next day in the afternoon about 2 oclock. Well I think that this will do for one battle, when the company laged or fell back you could hear Leient ____ Browns voice over all the rest to forward for we were driving the scamps . The most of the time he was a head of the company and he would give the order to forward my brave boyes forward. The Rebels are running from us and they were. What saved me I do not know and perhaps I never will. Once as the Rebels fired as I dropped into a little ravine where the watter had had cut the dirt out. As I got up there was 8 or ten bullet holes right behind where I fell. So you see they intended to have me the first of it, the same bullet that wounded Jack Leewis killed Sewel Bonden. It went wright into his temple, he did not live but a short time and Bealing fell and did not hardley breathe before he expired. We were then ordered to retreat into the woods , this is when and where I found Perkins, he luged very heavy but I done the same by him as I would my own brother. I will now bring this weary letter to a close, please excuse all that is not wright written here if you please. Your affectionate Husband Leieut George I Brown from GA. SIZE: Framed letter is 24″ x 21″ and sword is 38″ overall. CONDITION: Sword overall is in very good to fine. Blade is mostly bright with scattered staining. Etched panels have a pebbled frosted background exhibiting a large furled American flag and the letters “US” in a central panel on other side of blade. Scabbard body has chipping to finish but is overall sound and solid though drag is loose. Leather grip wrap is complete retaining much of its orig polish though worn and scuffed at high spots. Brass scabbard mounts, hilt and pommel are uncleaned and have yellow brass and dark mustard patinas. Letter is very good overall with typical cracking and separations at folds. Spots of acid burn. Letter was not removed from frame to see how it was mounted. 9-93461 (2,000-4,000) – Lot 2287 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

SWORD AND WARTIME “BULL RUN” LETTER OF LIEUTENANT GEORGE I. BROWN 2ND MAINE INFANTRY.