Page 50 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript Americana - Sale 2310 - April 16, 2013

“THIS I PROMISE IS MY LAST DAY AS A CONFEDERATE OFFICER”
100 ● (CIVIL WAR—CONFEDERATE.) Wharton, Gabriel C. A letter from
perhaps the last Confederate general at large in Virginia. Autograph Letter Signed
as “G.C.W.” to his wife Nannie Radford Wharton. 3 pages, 8 x 43/4 inches, on one sheet;
browning, folds, minor foxing. Lynchburg, VA, 20 June [1865] [1,000/1,500]
Brigadier General Gabriel C. Wharton led a division in Jubal Early’s army through early
May 1865, and then remained at large in Lynchburg, VA through late June. Of the hundreds
of Confederate generals, the vast majority were killed, imprisoned, emigrated, or paroled by this
point. A handful remained at large in the western states through August. We know of just one
other at large in the east after Wharton: Alfred M. Scales, who applied for amnesty in North
Carolina on 22 June.
In the letter, Wharton still clearly regards himself as an active general, and seems to feel deeply
nostalgic for the Lost Cause: “I have seen quite a number of blue coats, tho’ have spoken to
none of them. This I promise is my last day as a Confederate officer. I feel right blue at the idea
of severing the connection which, tho not pleasant all the time, has been a source of much
pleasure to me. I shall never forget I owe you, & all the real happiness I have ever enjoyed to
my being a Confederate officer. I shall too to remember that always. I will be paroled tomorrow.
All my friends advise me to this course. . . . I understand the Emperor of Brazil is offering
grand inducements to Confederates to immigrate to his country, but I will write you soon to get
the facts.” This stirring and emotional letter, written by Wharton on the eve of his parole, is
probably the latest letter you’ll see from an active Confederate general in the eastern states.
101 ● (CIVIL WAR—CONFEDERATE IMPRINT.) Smith & Barrow’s Monthly
Magazine. 96 pages. 8vo, disbound, partial rear wrapper laid in; moderate soiling and
wear, a bit of marginal dampstaining; uncut. Richmond, VA, May 1864 [200/300]
The first and apparently only issue of a projected monthly literary magazine. The last 19 pages
are devoted to army intelligence. “It was planned to include original and selected articles, the
latter from the latest English periodicals received which would not be accessible to the general
reader because of the blockade. The magazine was to contain tales, poetry, sketches of life and
manners . . . instructive miscellany and articles on political economy”—Sabin 84943. Not in
Lomazow.
100