JOHN C. FREMONT (1813 - 1890) "The Pathfinder", explorer of the western frontier and Union army major general until sacked by Lincoln for his efforts to garner more power. Good content rare war-date A.L.S. as Major General on Head-Quarters, Mountain Department letterhead, 3pp. 8vo., Wheeling, Apr. 21, 1862 to New York Collector of Customs Hiram Barney in New York, in part: "...I have received your note enclosing a letter for General Blenker...he was too much injured from a hall from his horse to be able to take the field [the fall would ultimately kill Blenker]...I therefore would not take charge of the Division. This was unofficial & may not be correct...I will bear in mind your recommendation and...give them good opportunity for distinction...". Fremont also mentions the apparent employment of Hungarian officers in his corps. Toned, with a few old archival tape repairs, still quite good. This letter could only have been written within a four-month period. In March, 1862, Fremont was placed in command of the Mountain Department of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Early in June he pursued Stonewall Jackson for eight days, finally engaging him at Cross Keys, but permitted him to escape with his army. When the Army of Virginia was created June 26, including Fremont's corps, with Pope in command, Fremont declined to serve on the ground that he outranked Pope. He then went to New York where he remained throughout the war, expecting a command, but none was given him. $300-500