Group of Charles L. Taylor Related Letters Regarding the End of the War, Lincoln's Assassination and Jefferson Davis' Capture. A group of letters regarding the end of the war and the Assassination of President Lincoln. The group features two letters from Charles L. Taylor to his wife, Hattie, one from Hattie to her husband, and another from Charles' mother to her son. They are all four pages (of a bifolium) in length and measure approximately 5" x 8". Original transmittal envelopes accompany each letter. Includes: Charles L. Taylor Autograph Letter Signed with General Lee's Surrender Content. Kinston, North Carolina; April 15, 1865. It reads in part: "...The news are indeed "glorious" now, and rejoice every patriotic heart greatly...that it is brought about by the success of country's cause which we have done our part in sustaining. We have the news of Lee's surrender to Gen. Grant on the 9th last and the particulars, sent here by telegraph, by Gen. Sherman on the 13th ...to be published to the troops in general orders..." Signed, "Chas. L. Taylor." Hattie Taylor Autograph Letter Signed Regarding the Assassination of Lincoln. Bristol [Connecticut]; April 16, 1865. Her letter discusses the local reaction to Lincoln's death and the sermon that was preached at church for the president. It reads in part: "...Is it not sad, our President is dead, and shot dead too. It casts a gloom on everything and all loyal hearts. Coming so suddenly too, when we had been so joyous over the victories just gained...Everybody looked sad enough, Today the church was draped in black...I did not know how much I thought of Mr. Lincoln till that terrible news came yesterday and shrouded us all in gloom." Signed, "Hattie." Autograph Letter Signed from Charles L. Taylor's Mother Regarding the Assassination of Lincoln. No place [Bristol, Connecticut]; April 16, [1865]. Her letter repeats Hattie's news about the church sermon and mentions news of Jefferson Davis. It reads in part: "...I have been to Church to day it was draped in black for the President...a few guns were fired and the bells were rung...Davis I understand has issued a proclamation encouraging his men he thinks their cause is by no means hopeless I hope our forces will be able to take him alive..." Charles L. Taylor Autograph Letter Signed with Capture of Jefferson Davis Content. Kinston, North Carolina; May 19, 1865. In this letter he writes about the news of Jefferson Davis' capture, including the now debunked tale that he was caught while wearing woman's clothing. It reads in part: "...Evening before last news came here of Jeff Davis' capture, and...we have Gen. Wilson's account of his capture, trying to escape in woman's clothes...His wife and children with him I don't think helped him out any. A pitiable object he is going to Washington in irons as a felon, that he is, quite a fall from the position of power he not long ago held. There is consolation in the thought that the traitor of them all is now like to have justice done him, as our beloved president was assassinated by the traitor and he one of the instigators to that infamous deed. It is quite the more fit that he should die by hanging, it will look right in history." Signed, "Charles L. Taylor." Charles L. Taylor (1837-1909) was teaching school in Bristol, Connecticut, when the Civil War broke out and continued in that pursuit during the first year of the conflict. He enlisted at the age of 24 as a Sergeant, and was mustered into Company K, 16th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on August 24, 1862. Just days after he was mustered into Company K, he married his sweetheart, Harriet Tuttle, on August 26. Taylor served as a sergeant and then a private with the 16th Connecticut Infantry, before becoming a clerk at Division Headquarters in New Bern, North Carolina. In mid-April 1864 Taylor, who was still working as a clerk for Division Headquarters, was ordered to rejoin his regiment in Plymouth, North Carolina. Fortunately for him, he was still in transit when the garrison was taken by the Confederates after a siege. The garrison surrendered and Taylor's regiment were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville, but Taylor had a lucky escape. He remained in New Bern until the end of the war. Condition: All with smoothed mail folds and intermittent toning and soiling. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved