Description:

(1818-1861) Union brigadier general killed in action at the Battle of Wilson's Creek making him the first northern general fatality of the war. His pro Union efforts in Missouri are known as a main reason why the state did not join the Confederacy. 'I HAVE STARTED A BATTALION OF THREE COMPANIES...' Very rare, superb content, war date A.L.S. signed twice, 6pp. 4to., St Louis Arsenal, April 27, 1861, writing to Col. Lorenzo Thomas in Washington about his frantic efforts to raise troops and keep Missouri in the Union two weeks after the war's inception. In part: '...Since receiving the authority to receive and muster...troops at this place, it has been a physical impossibility to write for the purpose of informing the Dept. of what is transpiring here...The volunteer companies commenced arriving early the next morning. About 700 arrived that day and 600 were armed...On Thursday 2100 have been received, armed, and sworn into the United States service...Offers to be the extent of several thousands more will doubtless be made, and if it is the wish of the government to accept them, I shall need to be informed...There is artillery enough for light and heavy pieces for about three companies, and there are many excellent artillerists who are exceedingly anxious to organize...I have started a battalion of three companies...I also have an application to accept a company of sappers and miners who have had experience in Europe...In a short time a an efficient Army Corps can be organized...As these troops were received....without any provisions beforehand for them...and no arrangements for quartering them, great inconvenience to them has occurred and overwhelming business devolved upon myself...Some buildings outside having commanding positions, I have...occupied with troops in order...to have in possession the positions desired by the secessionists for carrying out their long cherished scheme of capturing this place...' Moderately toned and ink stained, multiple tears throughout along folds have been repaired with tape. It is widely acknowledged by historians that these early mobilization efforts by Lyon were instrumental in keeping Missouri in the Union. His actions described were just in time, as for not two weeks after this letter was written, pro Confederate forces in St. Louis attempting to take control of control of the city demanded Lyon remove his troops from the key positions mentioned. Rather than wait Lyon took the initiative on May 10 and captured a group of the pro southern militia outside the city limits. When his troops marched the prisoners through the streets fighting between Northern and Southern sympathizers broke out. Lyon would be killed in action three months later at Wilson's Creek defending the city of Springfield, making his war date signature very rare.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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