The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Richard Kidder Meade's Personal Effects Lead Auction-- Part 1

From the July 25th Auction Central News.

Four lots consigned by the last remaining descendants of Confederate Civil War officer Richard Kidder Meade were the most personal offered at the recent Brunck Auction House July 16-17.

Richard Kidder Meade (1835-1862) was a US Army lieutenant at Fort Sumter when the war began April 12, 1861, and surrendered with the garrison on the 14th. Two weeks later, the native Virginian resigned his commission and joined the Confederate Army.

The West Point graduate was assigned to the Wilmington, NC, defenses at Fort Fisher until early 1862 when he was promoted to major and assigned to Lee's staff. Unfortunately, Meade died of typhoid fever July 31, 1862.

Included in the lots was a hand-written condolence letter from Lee to Meade's mother reading in part, "The untimely death of your gallant Son...a noble young patriot." The one page, signed letter dated August 9, 1862, sold for $15,600 (estimated to bring in $4,000 to $8,000) including the 20% buyer's premium.

More to Come. --Old B-Runner

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