Lot 153: STROTHER, DAVID HUNTER

153. DAVID HUNTER STROTHER (1816-1888) American writer, illustrator and soldier, popularly known as "Porte Crayon", one of Harper's highest paid contributors and famous for his written sketches, usually about life in the South, decorated with numerous pen drawings. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union army and was assigned to the Topographical Corps, served on the staffs of Generals McClellan, Banks, Pope, and Hunter; brevetted brigadier general USV. Two uncommon A.L.S. "David H. Strother" 4pp. total, each 8vo, Berkeley Springs, [West Va.], Feb. 22 and June 29, 1867, to an unnamed Union general [possibly John White Geary], discussing old war memories and his plans to write a definitive description of the battles of Culpeper and Cedar Mountain. In part: "...While I was in Richmond last year I traveled...through Culpeper & heard so much nonsense from the Ex Rebels in regard to that battle that I am especially anxious to put out a true & well authenticated account of it. I had a very neat plan of the Operations sent to me by General Pope, but this is now in the hands of Harper Bros...Pope & Staff did not get on the field until sun down, so that I was only eye witness to that part of the battle that was fought in the dark...The details of that Battle and the whole operations of that Campaign are little Known or understood by the public...I met your Brigade, marching through Culpeper to the Air of the 'Pilgrim Fathers' the afternoon of the 8th I think. The finest looking body of men I ever saw and with the surroundings the whole scene was solemnly Dramatic. You were then marching to the front. On the night of [August] ninth I met you in the melee of the night attack. I am sure therefore you can furnish all that is lacking in my personal observations. I saw [General Henry] Prince some time ago who gave me some most interesting details of his capture and subsequent imprisonment in Richmond...". On June 29, 1867, Strother writes: "...I packed up the Cedar Mtn. Papers yesterday morning...Sigel should publish his War History in German with the assurance that it will be well received...I am delighted to hear you are coming to see us...I shall have a bunk ready for your Soldier fashion. Bring your horse by all means...Harpers have had my notes on Cedar Mtn. in hand since ten days before I saw you in Baltimore. The piece which appeared in the May number was excised & mutilated in the publication and while I have not had an explanation from them I am ready to quarrel with them...". During the years 1866-68, Strother contributed a series of articles to Harper's entitled "Personal Recollections of the War, by a Virginian." Both in very good condition. 350 - 450