Period Official Manuscript Copy – Fort Washita, Chickasaw Nation For Sale

Period Official Manuscript Copy – Fort Washita, Chickasaw Nation
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Period Official Manuscript Copy – Fort Washita, Chickasaw Nation:
$235.00

Period Official Manuscript Copy – Fort Washita, Chickasaw Nation


Offered for yourconsideration is an official period copy of a report dealing with theconditions at one of the frontier posts of the United States Army. Headlined “FortWashita, C. N.” and dated “April 16th, 1849”, thepurpose of this report was to determine whether “… the Quarters now occupied bythe troops at this post, are conducive to health, comfort &c. &c., -and also as regards the fitness of the building now occupied as Hospital …”.The writer then states “… that in my opinion the Quarters nowoccupied by the troops, are entirely unfit for such purpose, … They are leakyand very wet during the rainy weather … They are too small and contracted forthe number of men now occupying them … Being in a state of decay, wet &open, they must consequently be productive of disease.”. He continuesby indicating that “… I would recommend, therefore, that all the buildings now occupied asQuarters for the troops be entirely removed … and I would again recommendprovided that suitable quarters can not be built before the comeing hot weatherthat the command be moved out of Quarters, and encamped on some suitable place…”. He further states that “… As regards the accommodation for the sick,I have to state that there is none. In the building now occupied as Hospitalthere is but one small room, which can be used for a Ward – only large enoughfor the accommodation of two sick men … If disease of any amount should occurat this post, the troops would suffer and die …”. The report wasoriginally written and signed by “E. J. Baily” in his capacity as “Asst.Surgeon / U. S. Army”, though since this is a copy, he did not sign thisparticular piece. It I addressed at the conclusion “To John A. Whitall / Capt.5th Infy”, presumably the post commander. Below this is astatement, written in a different hand, which states “I certify that the above is atrue copy”, followed by the signature of “F. R. Jackson”, with hisrank and position indicated as “Bvt. 2nd Lt 5th Infy/ PostAdjt.”. The final page was originally blank, though the back of it nowbears a recapitulation of the contents, important when the document was foldedfor storage. The document is executed in period iron gall ink on light bluepaper. Though only a period copy, this document provides a window on the conditionsthat the soldiers on the frontier dealt with on a daily basis. Many of theseforts were hastily constructed and poorly maintained, though when we visit themtoday as historic landmarks, they look very neat and in excellent condition. Thispiece would look great paired with a period illustration of the fort (there wasapparently one in the Harper’s Weekly, though I am not sure of the date).

The presently offereddocument exhibits signs of period use, though its overall condition is stillquite nice. Minor toning is present across the entire surface, slightly darkerat the edges and along the folds. A few stains are noted, though these arefairly light and do not seriously affect the overall eye appeal of the piece. Thecontrast is sharp, and due to some beautiful penmanship, all manuscriptmaterial is fully legible (Jackson’s penmanship for the conclusion is somewhatless than ideal, but still fully legible). Three horizontal folds are presenton both pages, with some paper wrinkling noted at the edges (a small paper separationcan be seen at the center fold on the back page, easily repaired with archivaltape). Much more serious is the separation of the two pages along the left fold(this split encompasses at least one third of the length of the document).Minor ink show through is mentioned for accuracy, with Jackson’s concludingstatement being the darkest. Measuring approximately 8 x 12½ inches when folded(16 x 12½ when laid flat), this piece should please anyone interested in thewestern expansion of the United States, or the plight of the soldiers bravelydefending the frontier.

A $5.95 charge will be added to the winningoffer for postage and insurance.

If you have any questionsregarding this item, please ask before purchasing.

Buy or offer withConfidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerousreference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “TheComprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2nd Edition”with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye.Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Societyof Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismaticassociations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamondfounding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of theIndustry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can befound at many of the state and local coin shows.


American Coins and Collectibles

Shreveport, LA



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