40130: Original letter from Confederate General R. S. R

Original letter from Confederate General R. S. Ripley sending the Planter to Castle Pinkney. This was the ship later stolen by slave Robert Smalls, including a stereoview photograph of the Planter. One page ALS by Confederate General R. S. Ripley written from Fort Sumter, June 22, 1861. One year after this was written, Robert Smalls, along with several other slaves, stole The Planter and made a run for the Federal troops. They succeeded and Smalls became quite the celebrity, with Congress awarding Smalls and his crew prize money. After the war he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. The Planter was the dispatch boat for Brig. Gen. Ripley. In this letter written to Col. Manigault, Ripley states "I will endeavor to have The Planter at Castle Pinckney this afternoon at 2 o'clock to take on board the articles you require." It is signed "Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, R. S. Ripley, Lt Col. Comdg." Condition fine with some ink blotting and left margin slightly reduced, not effecting any writing. Included is a stereoview of the Steamer "Planter" published in Charleston, SC. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved