Lot
1357 
"Fort Lane, E.F. Feb. 15, 1838", manuscript postmark endorsement on folded letter endorsed "Care of Capt. J.A à Laguell, Ord. Off. U.S.A." at lower left, entered mails with red "Savannah Geo, Feb 22" cds and red manuscript "25" cent rating to Martinsburg Va.; small fold breaks, interesting letter: "Dear Mother, I rec'd. you;letter'yesterday by the Army express (his emphasis) from Ft. Mellon…the Seminole War if it is not now at this moment finished, I think it will certainly be brought to a close this winter…I have as I informed you before been in a skirmish but not a battle. A battle was fought by the main army under Gen. Jesup on the 29th ult. several of the regulars and number of the Tennessee volunteers were killed, a few of the Indians were also killed, and Sam Jones and a large number of Indians taken prisoners, with their women and children. The powder magazine of the Indians was found. Gen. Jesup recd. a wound in the chest not dangerous-and had his spectacles shattered on his face. The engagement took place in the Ochee-chobee Islands. Gen. Jesup was with the advance guard, composed of mounted Tennesseans and where he was found at all times in the last war, and now this, in the midst of the fire! When the bullets began to whistle, one of the Tennessee captains thinking discretion the better part of valor' wheeled his horse and was about to be off like, but the Gen. not being disposed (to) let him, drew his pistol and threatened to shoot him if he attempted a further retreat. The volunteer Capt., like the Coons in Kentucky, had to give in. We have 5 Indian prisoners at this post - 2 squaws, 2 children and 1 warrior. The squaws are the wives of the warrior, and one the mother of the other and the children.", Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF A FORT LANE POSTMARK ENDORSEMENT.
Fort Lane was a Seminole Indian War fort that never had an established post office nor postmaster. The site is unclear but was located in current day Orange County.
Realized: $1,600