Description:

JAMES ST. CLAIR MORTON
(1829 - 1864) Union brigadier general and Chief Engineer of the Army of the Ohio, commander of the Pioneer Brigade, Army of the Cumberland which held the Union line at the battle of Stones River. Killed in action at the Second Battle of Petersburg when he was shot in the chest. Excessively rare war-date A.L.S. on 'Head-Quarters, Pioneer Brigade' letterhead, 3pp. 8vo., 'Camp near Murfreesboro, Feb. 23, 1863 to his brother. In part: I am grateful for your aid in regard to my appointment [as brigadier general]. It is, however, every day more doubtful that it will be confirmed...mine will be crowded out. I can't leave my brigade, which demands my incessant supervision. Let me ask you to to make use of [a] copy of a letter from Gov. Andrew Johnson , who has known my conduct so well...I may claim with justice to have saved Nashville, next to Gov. Johnson himself. Nothing but my fortifications saved it [during the Kentucky Campaign, Aug-Oct, 1862]....I found that rendering service to the country is on [thing], and the offices secured by another, as a general thing. Sometimes I feel as if the country deserved to go to the dogs, such is the outrageous number of wretched, mean, worthless officers in its service. If I ever get command of an army, I will ask that one half of its officers be put into the ranks & their places field from the privates and sergeants. If you can get a friend of the president to show him this letter of Gov. Johnson's...I think it will help me...' Some brushing of ink on second page, else very good. Interestingly, at the time of this writing, Morton had already been promoted to brigadier general by Lincoln, but had not received his commission. Ex: Brian Green, with extensive research. Green commented that he had never seen this letterhead before.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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