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Q: Hey, John, found you on the Internet. I may have exploding shell. Brother James (of Co. A, 18th Ohio
a piece of American history; looks like battle Volunteer Infantry) was buried at Stones River
strategy and then a written turn of events. National Cemetery at Murfreesboro.
I’m going to send some pictures your way. Dewitt C. Hodsden, who wrote the letter for
Maybe you can help me out with this to Hodsden, was a captain in the 9th Indiana Infantry.
figure out what exactly it is, if it’s real, and the He would not survive the war, being terribly
possible value of something like this. wounded at Kennesaw Mountain on June 24,
Here is who signed the document; I can’t 1864, and dying of his wounds on July 27, 1864.
make the name out. If you could help, that would He is buried at the National Cemetery in
be great. Marietta, GA.
Similar letters with maps and detailed battle
JS: This is a wonderful 3-page detailed letter content are always in demand. The presale
written just a few days after the Battle of Stones estimate for auction would be $500-$1,000,
River in Murfreesboro, TN, which was fought where it would most likely find a home.
from Dec. 31, 1862, to Jan. 2, 1863. Captain
Hodsden gives a good account of troop movements
during the battle along with a map showing the
overall Union army position approaching Stones Map and description of the Battle of
River and Murfreesboro. He also tells of his older Stones River, $500-$1,000.
brother James’s death on the first day’s battle from an

John Sexton is an independent appraiser and expert of Civil War memorabilia. He is an accredited member of various appraiser
organizations. He can be contacted at 770-329-4984. If you have a Civil War item for him to appraise, email a photo and a
description to mclwriter@gmail.com.

Asheford Institute Releases Top Selling

Antiques & Vintage Data For 2020

DESTIN, FL – The Asheford Institute, the world’s largest Antiques, are actively employed
Collectibles & Appraising distance-learning school, has released its or working within
annual survey of top buying trends within the antiques, vintage, the antiques, collectibles, and vintage marketplaces within the
and collectibles marketplace for 2020. The Institute, which has been United States and Canada (both urban and rural areas). All those
conducting this industry-related survey on its graduates for over twelve who participated in the survey operate their own antiques, vintage, or
years now, focuses on current market trends within the antiques, estate sale/appraisal businesses.
vintage, and collectibles community, by age category and based on The results show that while many of last year’s top-selling themes
sales and requests for particular items/genre/periods from customers gave way to items from a different period and purchases that tended to
and clients. be smaller in scale, the Mid-century motif continued to remain strong,
This year’s survey was conducted from January to December 2020 while rival sectors—including 1970s modular-pieces and literally
by the research staff at the Asheford Institute. The survey consisted of everything Art Deco—also rose to new heights. To see the complete
a sampling of over 2,163 current students and past graduates that survey, visit: www.asheford.com.

Antique & Vintage Business Proprietors
Age Grouping: 20-40 Age Grouping: 40-60 Age Grouping: 60-80

1. Art Deco 1. Art Deco & Period Jewelry 1. Mid-Century Modern

2. Mid-Century Modern 2. Mid-Century Modern 2. Chinese Antiques

3. Costume Jewelry 3. Automobilia/Petroliana 3. Art Deco & Period Jewelry

4. Textiles 4. Costume Jewelry 4. Victorian Paintings

5. 1970s Modular Furniture &
5. Folk Art 5. Automobilia/Petrolina
Objects d'Art
6. Textiles 6. Folk Art
6. Space-Related Collectibles
7. Watches (Antique & Vintage) 7. “Golden Oak” Furniture
7. Toys
8. Industrial Lighting 8. Georgian (Style) Furniture
8. Art Nouveau
9. Vinyl Records 9. Paintings
9. Lighting
10. Paintings 10. Vintage Outdoor Furniture
10. Paintings/Sculptures
11. Kitchen & Barware 11. Lighting
11. Memorabilia (Ephemera)

12. Early Americana/Canadiana 12. Early Americana/Canadiana 12. Western Collectibles

13. Glass 13. Victorian – Early, Mid & Late 13. Silver

14. Painted Furniture 14. Architectural Antiques 14. Glass
February 2021 39