1845 ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN EXTRACT DETAILING THE STATE OF TURKEY'S ATTEMPTS TO BATTLE RUSSIA MERE MONTHS AFTER ITS FLEET WAS DESTROYED

On offer is an original manuscript extract handwritten on a 7.5 x 5.5 inch scrap of paper dated Erzurum, Turkey Mar. 3, 1854, it is believed to be in the hand of Rev. Jonah Peabody who served under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. While unsigned this extract was found amongst the letters sent by his wife, Mary L. H. Peabody, to his brother Rev. Charles Herbert, in Missouri and most assuredly in Jonah's hand. The writings are a superb relic of the times; what historians and collectors of Turkish-Russian relations era will recognize as pivotal being only mere months after Russia destroyed Turkey's fleet and this note reports the Turks' struggle to gain any advantage, the handwriting describes: "As to the war everything is still dark. Immense efforts are made by the Turks in this region and hopes are entertained that they may be able to withstand the Russians especially as they have a number of European officers…" Much more regarding some of the new officers, the Sultan and further analysis of Turkey's chances against Russia. Overall VG.