#56 • General Edward Richard Candy Discussing Ft. Tongass c.1868-1870

Part of March 2023 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $200.00

Status: Sold

Category: Alaskana

An extremely rare handwritten letter by General Edward Richard Canby circa 1870 discussing the historic Fort Tongass, a United States Army base located on Tongass Island which existed from 1868-1870, adjacent to the Tlingit village bearing the same name. The framed letter reads approximately 10" x 8" overall, and is accompanied by a more legible transcript, which reads the following: "Nystrom, CA Headquarters Territory Dept. of Columbia San Juan Aug 23, 1870 Headquarters Commanding Office Fort Tongass, Alaska Sir, Finding that the steamer Busbane is so heavily loaded that she will not be able to take the supplies that are to be sent from your fort to Sitka on this trip, your instruct tons of the 12th entrant all sofar indefinite as to deter the transfer of these supplies until after the fort of Kodiak and Kenai have been contacted. When this has been done the Busbane will be sent down from Sitka to transfer the supplies in the instructions referred to above after the completion of this, the steamer will reach your fort to take your company to San Francisco in and accordance with the original order and send instructions as may be given you by Major John C. Todhunder, 2nd artillery in the commanding office at Sitka. Very Respectfully,  Your (?) servant, Edward Canby"