1864 Virginia Anti-Jewish Letter, "…nothing but Jews clothing stores all through the City…"

ALS, 3pp, measuring 5" x 8", dated November 13, [1864], Alexandria, VA. A letter from Captain Jonathan P. Fall of Company H in the 30th Regiment Maine Infantry in which he displays antisemitic sentiment towards Jews in Alexandria.  Exhibits expected degrees of creasing, flattened folds, and areas of isolated soiling throughout. Else, near fine.

He begins in part, with punctuation added for clarity: "I was glad to hear from you and hear that Alexandria was well, and doing so well he is doing full as well as he could do hear [sic]. He could not get any better wages hear [sic] than 1.50 and then every thing is so high here for it is nothing but Jews clothing stores all through the City, and as soot clothes will not last moor [sic] than half as long for there is not a good article in the city…". He then continues on to describe a group of 1,700 prisoners, likely POWs, "bound for the Old Capitol [prison] where they will get lodging and boarding for awhile."

By the time Civil War broke out in 1861, an estimated 150,000 Jews had settled throughout the Union and Confederate states. Further estimates suggest that out of these 150,000, approximately 10,000 Jewish soldiers would serve in war, respectively totaling 7,000 for the Union and 3,000 for the Confederacy. Despite their support for either side, anti-Jewish sentiments saw a rise during this period. These ideas culminated into General U. S. Grant's infamous Order No. 11 in 1862, which expelled all Jews living in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The order was later repealed by Lincoln in 1863, but ultimately led to the displacement and harsh treatment of numerous families in the area.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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