Description:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN
(1809-1865) Sixteenth President of the United States who led the Union through the Civil War and emancipated the slaves, assassinated. Historic A.E.S. with two relevant war-date A.L.S.'s of Union Major General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, all concerning McClellan's imminent (and much feared by him) appearances before Sen. Benjamin F. Wade's Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. Wade had convened the committee on Dec. 20, 1861 to investigate the lack of advance by the over-cautious McClellan after five weeks in place commanding the Army as well as the Union loss at First Bull Run and Lincoln's dismissal of Fremont. Not a fan of Lincoln's moderate stance on slavery (he once privately wrote that Lincoln's views on slavery "could only come of one born of poor white trash and educated in a slave state"), Wade sought to use the radical Republican committee to discredit the Lincoln administration and push it toward more radical measures including full emancipation. Wade viewed generals like McClellan, who believed he could defeat the South leaving slavery intact, with distrust, if not outright hatred, and McClellan knew it The committee had invited McClellan to give opening remarks on Dec. 23, and McClellan responded in an A.L.S. included in this lot: "Geo B McClellan Maj. Genl Comdg" 1p. 8vo., Washington, Dec. 22, [1861]: "Sir Yours of the 21st is received. I will do myself the favor of waiting upon your committee at their rooms a few minutes after 10 tomorrow morning (23d)" Though McClellan answered in the affirmative, the committee's 1863 official report noted that he was unable to attend due to ill health. In the meantime, Wade had become so frustrated with McClellan (who was confined to his home with, supposedly, typhoid fever) that on Jan. 6, 1862 Wade demanded that Lincoln remove McClellan, a request the President rejected. The pressure for McClellan's appearance before Wade's committee grew and on the 9th of January, Lincoln wrote to McClellan that he'd "...better go before the Congressional Committee the earliest moment your health will permit -- to-day, if possible" (Basler, Collected Works, 5:94) The same day, McClellan replied to Lincoln (an official copy of which is included, annotated by Lincoln and forwarded to Wade): "Your Excellency's note of this morning is received. I completely outlasted my strength yesterday and the day before by conversing with too many people. The physician has directed me to-day to see no only but one or two of my staff officers. It is entirely impossible for me to see the Congressional Committee to-day, or probably for two or three days more. As soon as my strength will permit I go before them..." Perhaps as fearful of the Committee's power as was McClellan, Lincoln covers himself politically, noting on the verso of the letter: "Within is the copy of Gen. McClellan's answer to a note of mine requesting him to appear before your committee as soon as possible, A. Lincoln Jan. 9, 1862" Interestingly enough, McClellan paid an unannounced visit to Lincoln several days later on January 12. McClellan later wrote that he had 'mustered strength enough' for the carriage ride, but he was likely exaggerating. (Sears, George B. McClellan: The Young Napoleon, p. 140). The next day McClellan attended a war council at the White House, but declined to give specific plans for his upcoming campaign citing the risk of leaks. The following day, McClellan composed a letter to Wade's committee (included in this lot), an A.L.S. "Geo B McClellan Maj. Genl Comdg" 1p. 8vo. on Army of the Potomac letterhead, Washington, Jan. 14, 1862. Having mustered the strength (or courage) to appear before his accusers, he writes Wade: "Sir: I have the honor to state that the condition of my health is now much that I can appear before your committee when you wish. The morning would be more convenient to e at present than a later period of the day." McClellan finally appeared before the Committee on the 15th, a big mistake considering a parade of witnesses, including fellow generals quite hostile to McClellan, had already testified before him. Had McClellan appeared when initially requested at the start of the Committee's meetings in December, 1861, he may have had a chance to blunt some of the criticism. Instead, he was forced to defend what appeared to many as needless delays in beginning a final march on Richmond. To make matters worse McClellan refused to disclose his plans to the Committee, nor to his immediate subordinates including Generals Buell and Halleck. Incensed, Wade asked McClellan: "How can this nation abide the secret counsels that one man carries in his head, when we have no evidence that he is the wisest man in the world?" If McClellan was indeed a Wellington or a Napoleon, he would feel better, but "we are not sure of that." (Sears, p. 137-138). Nevertheless McClellan survived the trial through the support of Lincoln and several key cabinet members. But McClellan would not escape punishment for his incompetence: on March 11, 1862, Lincoln removed McClellan as general-in-chief, leaving him in command of only the Army of the Potomac, ostensibly so that McClellan would be free to devote all his attention to the move on Richmond. The last straw for Lincoln would be in the fall of 1862 when McClellan failed to pursue the enemy after Antietam. On Nov. 7, 1862 Lincoln ordered McClellan's removal in favor of more decisive leadership. Overall the three letters bear only the expected folds and are otherwise very clean and in fine condition. A tremendous piece of history chronicling one of Lincoln's greatest difficulties encountered as Commander in Chief.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

June 3, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000