A poignant three-piece family grouping memorializing Col. Hugh Hartshorne Janeway, commander of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, who was killed in action near Jetersville, Virginia, on April 5, 1865, during the Appomattox Campaign, only four days before Lee's surrender. The group consists of a stereoview of the memorial tablet erected to him in the First Presbyterian Church, Jersey City; a letter from William R. Janeway, the colonel's father, sending the photograph to a family friend's mother; and the original mailing cover, annotated in period pencil as the memorial from W. Janeway. The stereoview is believed to be the very photograph enclosed with the letter.

Stereoview on a yellow card mount, approx. 7 x 3 1/2 in., bearing paired photographic views of the marble memorial tablet. The shield-form tablet is headed by a wreath and banner lettered JANEWAY over crossed cavalry sabers and a field of stars, and reads:

"Col. Hugh Hartshorne Janeway, First New Jersey Cavalry. After nearly four years of heroic service and repeated wounds he fell in battle near Jettersville, Va. April 5th A.D. 1865, in the 24th year of his age. A brave and skillful officer — a courteous gentleman — an earnest patriot — trusted and beloved by his Regiment — tender and true in every domestic and social relation — a sincere christian — he died lamented by all who knew him a precious sacrifice in preserving the 'UNION.' 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' Erected by the Trustees of this Church."

The verso is plain save for a partial blind-embossed photographer's stamp at upper edge, legible only in part as "...N.J."

One-page autograph letter signed on printed letterhead of the "Office of Janeway & Co., Manufacturers of Paper Hangings, Warehouse, No. 51 Dey Street, Manufactory at New Brunswick, N.J.," listing the partners Wm. R. Janeway, Henry L. Janeway and Joshua J. Goodrich. Headed New York, Oct. 23d, 1868, addressed to R. Patterson, Esq., Phila., Pa., and signed Wm. R. Janeway. Approx. 5 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. It reads in full:

"Dear Sir, Knowing well the deep interest and affection with which your dear mother cherishes the memory of our departed I have enclosed to her thro' you the photograph of a tablet in the 1st Pres. Church Jersey City which was placed there in the fall of 1865. Please present it to her with my affectionate regards. Also remember me to your sisters and their husbands as well as to Mrs. P. We shall be very happy to see you and her at Pinehurst. Yours truly, Wm. R. Janeway."

A quietly affecting letter — the grieving father, writing on his firm's letterhead three and a half years after his son's death, never names him, referring to the colonel simply as "our departed."

Original envelope, approx. 8 7/8 x 3 7/8 in., addressed in ink to "Robert Patterson, Esq., Safe Deposit Co., Philadelphia, Pa.," with a New Brunswick, N.J. OCT 24 circular datestamp — the day after the letter's date — and a Philadelphia post office RECEIVED backstamp. Period pencil notation at left reads "Memorial from W. Janeway of Hugh Janeway." No adhesive present.

Hugh Hartshorne Janeway (November 14, 1842 – April 5, 1865) entered the 1st New Jersey Cavalry in 1861 and rose through the grades to command the regiment, which saw service in some 97 engagements. Repeatedly wounded, he was killed at the head of his regiment near Jetersville during the pursuit of Lee's army, among the last field officers of the Army of the Potomac's cavalry to fall in the war. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, New Brunswick. His family's paper-hangings manufactory at New Brunswick was among the notable wallpaper firms of the period.

CONDITION:  Stereoview: mount toned, with staining along the left and lower edges and a few small spots on the verso; images clear and well preserved. Letter: bright and clean, original folds, strong ink. Cover: soiling, edge wear and small nicks, light corner losses; opened at flap.    [ss][ph:L]

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