AUCTIONS POULIN'S SPRING PREMIER FIREARMS AUCTION, JUNE 7-10, 2024 HISTORIC SOFA THAT ONCE BORE THE DYING STONEWALL

3028A HISTORIC SOFA THAT ONCE BORE THE DYING STONEWALL

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,500.00 USD
Estimated at 5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
JACKSON AT GUINEA STATION, NOW THE JACKSON SHRINE, DIRECT FAMILY DESCENT. This wonderful petite 60" Empire upholstered mahogany sofa was in the room where Stonewall Jackson died and he was laid on it when he was first brought in wounded: "The general was first placed on the sofa in the office, until a bed could be made ready for him…Jackson was to die on May 10, after he was taken to the office…". An accompanying 1959 newspaper article pictures this exact couch and tells the story of how several Chandler home items went to different parts of the family after the house was sold, now part of the National Park Service. The bed and the clock in that room were donated/sold by other family members to the Park Service. There is correspondence between this Chandler descendant and the National Park Service in 1966 inquiring about the sofa. The park historian Ralph Happel stated "The house where Jackson died is an important part of this park. We have recently restored this cottage to its Civil War appearance and are about to furnish it…. We are pleased to get the clipping with the photograph. The picture [sofa] will help us in our search for a similar piece to round out the furnishings". Jackson's surgeon, Dr. Hunter McGuire published an account of Stonewall's death in 1886 stating he rested on a "lounge" which 1959 article states "undoubtedly it was the same sofa now in Warren's [Chandler granddaughter] possession here. The sofa was originally covered with black horsehair, typical of the times. It has long since been reupholstered with a modern fabric". This sofa is pictured in the newspaper article with Mrs. Roberta Chandler Warren, granddaughter of Thomas Chandler, the owner of Fairfield Plantation and the plantation office that Jackson was brought for the week till his death. He was wounded on May 2, 1863, at the battle of Chancellorsville and had his arm amputated the next day in a field hospital. Gen. Lee had him evacuated several miles behind the lines to Fairfield Plantation at Guinea Station to recover as the Union army was threatening to cross the river and possibly capture the field hospital. A week later, Dr. McGuire wrote to inform Lee that Jackson would die: "Colonel Pendleton came into the room about 1 o'clock, and he [Jackson] asked him, "Who was preaching at headquarters to-day ?" When told that the whole army was praying for him, he replied: "Thank God, they are very kind". He said: "It is the Lord's Day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday".…I offered him some brandy and water, but he declined it, saying, "It will only delay my departure, and do no good; I want to preserve my mind, if possible, to the last". About half-past one he was told that he had but two hours to live, and he answered again, feebly, but firmly, "Very good, it is all right. A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, "Order A. P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks", then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he cried quietly and with an expression as if of relief, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees"; and then, without pain or the least struggle, his spirit passed from earth to the God who gave it". UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 3 poor copies of the Jan. 18, 1959 Florida Times-Union newspaper article the sofa appears. There are 4 letters (Feb. 3-March 10, 1966) from the United States Department of Interior, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park to Mrs. Warren from park historian Ralph Happel asking for dimensions of the sofa as consignor's mother was not willing to sell it [70 years ago]. The park historian relates how they are restoring the office building on the plantation which is now the Jackson Shrine. He also states how one family member had donated a mantel clock that was in the home now. CONDITION: very good overall. Sofa has been retained in family with the respect it deserved, the mahogany has a couple small chips, but the carving is complete, the rear back leg was broken at one time but has been repaired with no addition of wood. The upholstery is very good as it appears in the 1959 newspaper photograph. Overall dimensions, 60" long, 30" back, 26" deep, 24" sides. (02-22755/JS). NON-GUN. $5,000-10,000.
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