Unsigned manuscript letter by likely member of the 25th NC State Troops, four pages, quarto (9.75 in.), Camp Davis, Wilmington vicinity, October 7-8, 1861, to unknown recipient Buncombe County, North Carolina, reading, in small part: "...Today is your birthday. You have now reached the mature age of 'Sweet Sixteen'...you may be finally liberated from the many restraints of school-life...Direct when you do write , to the care of Col. Clingman...I don't like this part of the country as much as I do old Buncombe...Sunday afternoon, a Yankee vessel stranded on a grand bank & couldn't get off. Our soldiers who were stationed near that point, on seeing her condition, went over, & after a brief struggle, she was captured. One hundred thousand (100,000) dollars in money & greycoats were found on board. That was a pretty good haul for our men. They need overcoats in this Southern Confederacy...to make an attack under false colors is regarded as one of the most dishonorable acts that can be committed. So the fact that the enemy has departed from the path of uprightness & honor, could be no excuse for us...This place, I fear, is very unhealthy for the mountaineers who have been accustomed all their lives to good weather & cool breezes... "

The Lifelong Collection of Keith and Caroline Gray, Charlotte, NC. Keith and Caroline Gray were passionate about antiques, art, and history. Together they attended antique shows and auctions for decades – assembling a collection particularly strong on American coin silver, Asian art, historical documents, early images, and English ceramics. Both were longtime supporters of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, with Caroline serving in multiple capacities from docent to a member of the acquisitions board and trustee. Caroline translated her love of material culture into a successful career, becoming a certified property appraiser in Charlotte.

Light marginal stain at top, else very good condition.