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Up for sale is an original 1870 Reconstruction-period letter authored by Confederate veteran John Kendrick, written from San Francisco, California.
This is an unusually scarce Western-theater postwar Confederate document containing direct wartime recollection, period political context, and named individuals.
Historical Significance:
Authentic Reconstruction-era Confederate correspondence is uncommon on the market, and California-based Confederate veteran letters are particularly scarce. This example is notable for its candid reference to wartime conduct, quoting a former comrade from Washington–Wilkes, Georgia who claimed he “was a terror to the Yanks during the war.”
The letter was written in 1870, the same year the 15th Amendment was ratified, and reflects the perspectives and social atmosphere among ex-Confederates during the early Reconstruction years.
Content Overview:
(Full transcription available on request.)
Key elements include:
Identification of the writer as a former Confederate soldier named reference to James Mull of Washington–Wilkes
Direct recollection of wartime sentiment (“a terror to the Yanks”)
Postwar observations from a Confederate veteran now living in San Francisco
Period social commentary consistent with the immediate post-Civil War political climate.
Accompanying Photograph
Included with the letter is a period photograph of a uniformed sergeant wearing a slouch hat and late-19th-century militia/veterans’ style coat. The photograph displays exceptionally well and accompanies the letter from the same estate.
(Note: The man in the photograph is not identified in writing, but the photo was retained with the letter.)
Condition:
Letter: Very good for age. Strong, legible penmanship in iron-gall ink; expected toning and light foxing; no loss of text.
Photograph: Sharp and clean; mild age toning; frame included if desired.
Both pieces are 100% original to the period.
Collector Value:
This piece combines several desirable features rarely found together:
Reconstruction date (1870)
Confirmed Confederate veteran author
California-based postwar perspective
Named wartime comrade from Washington–Wilkes
Colorful wartime recollection
Associated period photograph
Comparable Confederate Reconstruction letters routinely bring high dollar returns.
The Western provenance and wartime reminiscence make this an especially strong example.
Shipping:
Professionally packed, insured, and shipped with tracking.
Photograph can be shipped framed or unframed per buyer request.
