 ARIZONA. I Sumowski & Co. Two Dollars. Mesilla, Arizona. 'Oct. 30, 1862'. Printed on light brown cloth. 155mm by 64mm. Typeset, title at top with city and date below. At the left end, panel with bold face 'TWO'. Across center, 'TWO DOLLARS' with obligation below, 'On presentation of our Notes in sums of Five Dollars at our Store, we will exchange U.S. Treasury Notes.' Signed at the lower right by Sumowski. Signed at the lower left by '2nd Lieut. 1st Inft. C.V.'. ['C.V.' for California Volunteers]. Underneath that 'a.a.a.g.', possibly ''Additional Assistant Adjutant General.'' The signatures are pen canceled and the left signature unfortunately does not coincide with a known member of the 1st's roster. The note itself may have been saved as a sample or counterfeit detector type piece based on the old-time mounting on the back corners.
An amazing and important Union issued Civil War era scrip from this fascinating theater of operations in what was then territorial New Mexico. In the sutler register in Keller, he lists a J. Sumowski as a sutler in 1864 in New Mexico. Though this is a store scrip, we are not absolutely certain it is a sutler store scrip on Mesilla. However, that fact does not lessen the impact of this excessive rarity printed on cloth, seen on a very few extremely rare Arizona and New Mexico note issuers.
For a printed cloth note, Fine or so. Very solid with modest wear and some stretching. Formerly back corner mounted with staining to the face on all four face corners, the two right ones being the heaviest. As previously stated, ''signed,'' but not numbered. Several back endorsements in black pen, similar to that used on the signatures. However, condition is not the underlying significance of this immense Civil War era scrip note rarity.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate.
There are few currency notes known on Mesilla, Arizona (they are very rarely seen, the last in Smythe's 2005 Memphis Sale) from a handful of issuers. The most frequently seen examples (and they are very rare) are Confederate period issues issued by William Skillman, operator of the Post Office, store and train station. Skillman's notes are Confederate style, printed on yellow paper and dated May 15, 1862. This Union period note issued after the Confederates were driven out is very important. The earlier background, prior to the issuance of this cloth note is as follows:
''The Confederate War history this far west is not well known, yet is quite fascinating. Early in 1862, a large Confederate force entered what is present day New Mexico. Texas seceded from the Union, Fort Bliss at El Paso was evacuated and captured by the Grays, who continued onwards to Fort Fillmore. Fillmore has also been abandoned by the Union forces. With Mes(or 'x')illa as the capital, the Confederate Territory of Arizona was created.
Meanwhile, farther north, the Union regrouped under Colonel Edward Canby. The Confederates under Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley arrived at their newly acquired stronghold at Fort Bliss, then headed north on the Camino Real to engage the Union. Canby had 3,800 men including Kit Carson's 1st New Mexico Volunteers (mostly Hispanic fighters from northern New Mexico). Sibley counted only 2,500 men and fifteen cannons for their battle on February 13, 1862. Both sides suffered greatly amidst harsh winter conditions of dust and bad weather. The Union retreated into Fort Craig, but fortunately for Canby and his men, Sibley could not muster up the resources for a siege. Instead, Sibley had to head for Albuquerque to regroup. The Confederates were eventually defeated on March 28, 1862, at the Battle of Gloreta and retreated to Texas.'' [per R.M. Smythe's 2005 Memphis Sale Catalogue. lot 1354].
After the Union had set up shop in Mesilla, the need for private scrip was essential. Skillman remained in operation as a necessary functionary with the rail road and post office in the Territory. This new store was associated with the 1st California Volunteers and may have served as a sutler's store (though not specified on the note). The 1st California initially came out of Oakland, down south to Los Angeles in October, 1861 and saw action in chasing down Showlater's group in the San Jose Valley at Warner's ranch. Other engagements from December, 1861 to April, 1862 period included companies being split for duties at Fort Yuma and Camp Latham. After the Carleton's Expedition they saw their Arizona theater duty. After the Confederate forces were driven from Mesilla, the 1st marched towards Tucson along the Gila River from April 10, 1862 to May 20, 1862 and engaged at Pechecho Pass. After that battle, they marched across the desert to the Rio Grande in July and August, 1862 and finally arriving at Mesilla itself. They remained until Christmas of that year. This note was issued just prior to their arrival in Mesilla.
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