Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
28
An evocative letter written by a 15-year-old boy to his father about running away from home during the Civil War
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[CIVIL WAR]
Autograph letter signed by Daniel Osborn at age 15 to his father, written upon running away from home to become a draftee substitute in the 9th New York State Militia and on the execution of a soldier for desertion. [Near Culpeper Station, Virginia]: 1 October 1863. Manuscript in ink, 4 pp. Signed on the final leaf with his address in a circular fashion. 8 x 4 3/4 inches (20 x 12 cm). Usual folds, light soiling and toning, minor paper loss in upper left corner, splits along fold, small tear affecting one letter, a few ink stains on final leaf.
Daniel Osborn (1849-1864) was the son of William T. Osborn (1812-1915) and Sarah Ann Underhill (1811-1905) of Newburgh, Orange County, New York. Daniel was only 15 years old when he was recruited into Co. C, 9th New York State Militia (a.k.a. 83rd New York Infantry) on 25 September 1863. At the time Daniel joined the regiment, most of the original members had only 9 months left to serve in their three-year enlistments. Only seventeen officers and 78 enlisted men would muster out of the service on 11 June 1864. Prior to Daniel’s joining the ranks, the regiment had seen action at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg; they were soon to join in the Overland Campaign. Daniel did not survive the war. He died at Belle Plain Hospital on 10 May 1864 of wounds he received in the fighting at Spottsylvania Court House.
This seems to be the first letter written by the 15-year-old after enlisting, in which he reveals that he had run away from Enoch Dinger, presumably to whom he was indentured, and became a "substitute" for a draftee in New York, just a few months after the draft riot. He writes:
"... I ran away from Enoch Dinger and went to New York and went substitute and I am very sorry for it now but I would hear to what you would tell me but now I wish that I had. I got a 150 dollars for coming. I spent 50 for a watch and on board the boat coming to Alexandria there was a great deal of stealing going on and I had 100 doll. stole that I intended to send to you but they took every cent... I am now near Culpeper station in the 9th New York militia and now my chest is up to Enoch Dinger and I have got a double barreled gun there. I want you to get it and take care of it. If you can send me a rubber blanket, 5 pairs of good buck skin gloves and 4 pairs of good boots I can sell them here for 12 and 15 dol a pair ...We had to march 17 miles but we had nothing but our guns and canteens ... it rained all day hard the mud was 3 and 4 inches deep. We went to see a man shot that had deserted seven times, there was twelve men stood about ten feet in front of him and all fired right into his head..."
Sold for $704
Estimated at $300 - $500
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[CIVIL WAR]
Autograph letter signed by Daniel Osborn at age 15 to his father, written upon running away from home to become a draftee substitute in the 9th New York State Militia and on the execution of a soldier for desertion. [Near Culpeper Station, Virginia]: 1 October 1863. Manuscript in ink, 4 pp. Signed on the final leaf with his address in a circular fashion. 8 x 4 3/4 inches (20 x 12 cm). Usual folds, light soiling and toning, minor paper loss in upper left corner, splits along fold, small tear affecting one letter, a few ink stains on final leaf.
Daniel Osborn (1849-1864) was the son of William T. Osborn (1812-1915) and Sarah Ann Underhill (1811-1905) of Newburgh, Orange County, New York. Daniel was only 15 years old when he was recruited into Co. C, 9th New York State Militia (a.k.a. 83rd New York Infantry) on 25 September 1863. At the time Daniel joined the regiment, most of the original members had only 9 months left to serve in their three-year enlistments. Only seventeen officers and 78 enlisted men would muster out of the service on 11 June 1864. Prior to Daniel’s joining the ranks, the regiment had seen action at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg; they were soon to join in the Overland Campaign. Daniel did not survive the war. He died at Belle Plain Hospital on 10 May 1864 of wounds he received in the fighting at Spottsylvania Court House.
This seems to be the first letter written by the 15-year-old after enlisting, in which he reveals that he had run away from Enoch Dinger, presumably to whom he was indentured, and became a "substitute" for a draftee in New York, just a few months after the draft riot. He writes:
"... I ran away from Enoch Dinger and went to New York and went substitute and I am very sorry for it now but I would hear to what you would tell me but now I wish that I had. I got a 150 dollars for coming. I spent 50 for a watch and on board the boat coming to Alexandria there was a great deal of stealing going on and I had 100 doll. stole that I intended to send to you but they took every cent... I am now near Culpeper station in the 9th New York militia and now my chest is up to Enoch Dinger and I have got a double barreled gun there. I want you to get it and take care of it. If you can send me a rubber blanket, 5 pairs of good buck skin gloves and 4 pairs of good boots I can sell them here for 12 and 15 dol a pair ...We had to march 17 miles but we had nothing but our guns and canteens ... it rained all day hard the mud was 3 and 4 inches deep. We went to see a man shot that had deserted seven times, there was twelve men stood about ten feet in front of him and all fired right into his head..."
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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