Lost For 150 Years - Civil War Jefferson Davis Pursuit & Capture Map On The Auction Block With Centurion Auctions

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May 25, 2016, 08:00 ET


Tallahassee, FL (PRWEB) May 25, 2016 -- Historically important Jefferson Davis Civil War Pursuit & Capture Map has been lost for the past 150 years, only recently seeing the light of day when the Map was discovered hidden away, in among a private rare Civil War Book Collection. This linen Map of Georgia depicts the Disposition of the Cavalry Corps, M.D.M., Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. H. Wilson, Comdg. During the Pursuit and Capture of Jeff. Davis. May 1865. The map is partially printed and partially hand drawn, showing the position and movements of the troops pursuing Davis. This Capture Map was to accompany General Wilson's January 17th, 1867 Report to Congress, although the report notes the map as "Not Found". This Jefferson Davis Capture Map is of great historical importance and a truly exciting find. It is consigned to sell with Centurion Auctions as part of the May 28th Civil War Era Militaria & Firearm Auction. Having been missing the last 150 years, this map is new to the market, and is expected to generate substantial interest within the Civil War, Rare Book, Map, and Document Collecting Communities.

The May 28th, 2016 Militaria & Firearm Auction is open to everyone and will take place at the Centurion Auction Gallery in Tallahassee, FL. Bidders are able to bid from the floor, live by telephone, live by Internet, and by absentee / pre-bid. This is a 2 session sale, taking place on May 28th & 29th 2016, and consisting of more than 900 lots of Historical Militaria Memorabilia & Firearms.

Auction Description of Lot 17106 | UNRECORDED CIVIL WAR JEFFERSON DAVIS CAPTURE MAP

Historically significant unrecorded map with handwritten additions and notes Detailing the Pursuit and Capture of Jefferson Davis. Original linen Map of Georgia. In his January 17, 1867 report to Congress on the pursuit and capture of Jefferson Davis, J. H. Wilson, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U.S. Army, concluded his report, "I transmit herewith a map showing the railroads, rivers and important points mentioned in this report, and from which the movements and dispositions of the troops under my command may be fully understood." Following the report is the notation, "*Map not found."

Well, some 150 years after the pursuit and capture of Davis, the map has been found. It is on linen, 32 inches wide by 35 inches in length, labeled in a fine hand, "Map of Georgia, Showing the Disposition of the Cavalry Corps, M.D.M., Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. H. Wilson, Comdg. During the Pursuit and Capture of Jeff. Davis. May 1865. To accompany Report dated Jan. 17, 1867." The map is partially printed, partially drawn by hand, the movement and dispatch of the troops pursuing Davis are drawn in detail concluding with the penned note, "Jeff Davis captured May 10, 1865."

Included with the map is a 14-page House of Representatives Bill No. 1277 dated June 17, 1868 entitled "Capture of Jefferson Davis" authorizing the payment of the $100,000 reward offered by the President of the United States in May 1865 for the capture of Jefferson Davis enumerating the distribution of the reward.

Also included with the Map:

  • House of Representatives 39th Congress 2d Session, Mis. Doc. No. 82. January 15, 1867. Capture of Jefferson Davis. "Evidence submitted to the Committee of Claims by the Claimants for the reward for the capture of Jefferson Davis." 26 pages.
  • Senate 39th Congress 2d Session, Ex. Doc. No. 13. Letter of the Secretary of War, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 26th instant, the report of Major General J. H. Wilson on the capture of Jefferson Davis. January 31, 1867. 8 pages.
  • Senate 39th Congress 1st Session, Ex. Doc. No. 6?. Letter of the Secretary of War communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 24th ultimo, the evidence upon which the awards for the apprehension of Jefferson Davis were made. April 30, 1866. 39 pages.
  • A copy of J. H. Wilson's report of January 17, 1867 from The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies [Serial No. 103, pages 370-380]. Size: 32x35"

Provenance: For more than 40 years, Broadfoot Publishing has been engaged in the business of buying and selling rare military books. Within the normal course of business, they purchase large rare military book collections. This map was purchased in a collection some years ago. It was only recently discovered within a small box, in among a Civil War book collection. In the box, the map was folded and found with the 14-page House of Representatives Bill No. 1277 dated June 17, 1868 entitled "Capture of Jefferson Davis" (also included with this lot). Since Broadfoot has purchased more than 500 book collections it would be impossible to determine the collection from which the map originated. The map is consigned through Broadfoot Publishing.

Centurion Auctions specializes in the Acquisition, Marketing & Sale of Historically Important Military Collectibles, Documents, Artifacts & Firearms. Considering selling? Contact Centurion Auctions for a complimentary evaluation.

Malcolm Mason, Centurion Auctions, http://www.CenturionAuctions.com, +1 (850) 294-7121, [email protected]