Description:

(1819-1897) Assistant Secretary of War for Abraham Lincoln, liaison between the War Department and General U.S. Grant. Prior to the war he worked as a top aide to Horace Greely at the New York Tribune. Good content A.L.S. on War Department letterhead, 4pp. 4to., Washington D.C., Dec. 21, 1863, to Gen. WILLIAM F. ‘BALDY' SMITH (1824-1903) advising him of his promotion for his actions in the Chattanooga Campaign. In part: 'The Secretary of War [Edwin Stanton] directs me to say to you that it has been determined that you should be promoted to the rank of major general ever since the reports of your operations at Chattanooga were received...Oglesby has now tendered his resignation for the second time and it will probably be accepted...I fear however that I shall not have the pleasure of your company during that expectant campaign. You will recollect that the early friends of the once Thane of Cawdor afterward became separated from him. In the present case I insist[?] the separation will be merely one of place attended by wishing but good fortune for ourselves and our country...' On Dec. 28, 1886 Smith added an initialed note attacking his old commander, Ulysses Grant, who had died a year earlier. He writes: ‘In making my defense against the attack of Gen. Grant in the Century Magazine this letter was overlooked. Written a month after the battle of Chattanooga it showed the Sec.Stanton was the moving spirit in my promotion and not General Grant. This is an important letter for my children to retain. W.F. S.' Near fine. Richard J. Oglesby (1824-1899) was a Union major general who left the army when he was elected Governor of Illinois. The successful operation earning Smith this promotion was his work restoring a supply line known as the 'Cracker Line' as Chief Engineer of the Army of the Cumberland during the Chattanooga Campaign of 1863, which saved the army from certain starvation and surrender. Fine condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

August 25, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% 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 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000