JOSEPH HOLT (1807-1894) Union Judge Advocate General empowered to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, tried Fitz-John Porter and the Lincoln assassins. A.L.S. "J. Holt " 2pp., 8vo., Washington, Nov. 5, 1862, to Major General Henry Halleck: "...I saw Gen. [Albin Francisco] Schoeff this morning & find him much improved within the last days. He is very anxious to be assigned to some duty, & thinks himself capable of any service which does not involve the riding on horseback. He has a vigorous & clear intellect & a soldier's education & would I think make a good member of the military commission about to convene at Cincinnati. He has a personal knowledge of many of the matters which will be the subject of investigation. I do not know whether this will be consider by you a recommendation or an objection. I only hope that something may be given him to do. He will call on you to day or in the morning... ". President Lincoln had appointed Halleck major general in August 1861. As a field commander, he proved an able organizer and administrator, but an incompetent leader of field armies, and, by July 1862, he was ordered to Washington where his administrative aptitude was of great value, but his lack of strategic sense handicapped Federal commanders in the field. Hungarian-born Union General Schoeff had only recently concluded his command of the 1st Division, III Corps, Army of Ohio at Perryville. In very good condition, inlaid. $400-500