ELIAS BOUDINOT (1835 - 1890) Cherokee Indian leader who helped his uncle Stand Watie organize the Cherokee Indian Regiment for the Confederate Army, also represented the Southern Cherokees in the Confederate Congress. A very rare group of three war-date Confederate congressman's letters, in which Boudinot writes from Richmond, in early 1864, to Rev. Abner J. Leavenworth concerning pulling strings with Jeff Davis and the Confederacy's chief ordnance officer, Josiah Gorgas in order to get an ordnance commission for his son who was serving in the trans-Mississippi. In part: "...Hos. of Reps., Jan. 4, 186 [4]...I have not received the complimentary letter of Genl. [Kirby] Smith which Fred has forwarded to me...Col. Gorgas assures me his commission as capt. should be sent...without delay from the period of his examination. I was unable to get it antedated earlier though Col. G expressed a desire to do so...[Jan. 19, 1864]...the president tells me it is impossible under the opinion of Congress, which he thinks incorrect, to antedate your son's commission...I have procured an order from Col. Gorgas, upon the suggestion of the President, allowing your son pay as Capt of Ordnance from the date of his first appt... [Feb. 25]...I have read your letter from your son with great interest...I will see tomorrow if his commission has been forwarded-if not, I will try to send it to you... ". Also, included are two original transmittal covers with stamps removed. Needless to say, Frederick Peabody Leavenworth got his commission as his father was an influential Southern educator and he was also a direct descendant of a War of 1812 hero, Brig. Gen. Henry Leavenworth who established Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Near fine. $700-900