African Americana

MERRILL, Lewis (1834-1896). Report of Major Merrill and Indictments by the Grand Jury. N.p.: N.p., 1872. 8vo. (Minor toning, light crease.) Original wrappers.

PRESUMED FIRST PRINTING. Merrill was a career soldier with a distinguished career. A graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1855, he served with the First Dragoons in Missouri, Kansas Territory, and in the Utah Expeditions. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted as a 1st lieutenant on 24 April 1861 and was quickly promoted to colonel serving on the staff of John C. Frémont. He organized the Second Missouri Volunteer Cavalry (Merrill's Horse) and would see several more promotions throughout his career. After western assignments, Merrill, leading Companies B, E, and K of the 7th US Cavalry, was assigned to York County, South Carolina, arriving in 1871 to quell the lynchings and violence created by the Ku Klux Klan. This pamphlet, records his reports from York County in 1872. RARE, no other known copies.

[With:] CHAMBERLAIN, Daniel Henry (1835-1907). Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections in the Case of David T. Corbin, Claiming a Seat as a Senator from South Carolina. N.p.: N.p., 1878. 8vo. (Minor toning.) Original wrappers, string bound. RARE, no known copies. Corbin served in the 3rd Vermont Infantry as a captain, wounded and captured at Savage's Station, VA in 1862. At the close of the war, he served with the Freedmen's Bureau.  He was appointed US Attorney for the state of South Carolina in 1867 and notably prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan. He was elected US Senator in 1876 but lost the seat to General Butler due to political squabbling.

[Also with:] CHAMBERLAIN, Daniel Henry. Political Letters, September, 1883. [New York]: N.p., 1883. 8vo. (Soft vertical crease, minor toning.) Original wrappers. INSCRIBED BY CHAMBERLAIN, the governor of South Carolina from 1874 until the disputed end of his government coinciding with the recall of Federal troops and the effective conclusion of Reconstruction.