132

Merrick Stowell.

Letter describing the "shameful" retreat from Bull Run.

Arlington Mill, VA, 31 July 1861
Autograph Letter Signed "M Stowell" to unidentified friend. 4 pages, 8 x 5 inches, on one folding sheet; mailing folds, minimal wear. With typed transcript.

Merrick Stowell (1838-1921) was a teacher from Scriba, NY. His regiment, the 24th New York Infantry, was recruited in Oswego County, mustered in on 17 May, and arrived in Washington on 3 July. Like almost all of the Union regiments, they were new to the army. 

The regiment was late to the party for the catastrophic defeat at Bull Run: "We marched into Vir. the next morning, just in time to meet part of the army retreating. . . . We met two whole regiments retreating, the rest of the army having gone by other roads. . . . It was shameful the way our army retreated. It was no disgrace to be repulsed by the batteries, but it was a disgrace to retreat from Fairfax. . . . It made me angry, ashamed of our troops, to see them retreating as they did. It was simply a panic."

  • Condition: Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000