Description:

Fine association and content manuscript L.S., 2pp. 4to., "Near Atlanta", July 24, 1864, from Capt. Francis De Geer of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery to Adjutant General of the Army Lorenzo Thomas. De Geer writes an impassioned plea for Thomas to discharge a musician of his unit, in small part: "...I beg you to consider the request... that an order may be issued, discharging 'Joseph Magin'... a weakly German boy of 17 years of age, wanted to enlist some 2 years ago into my Battery... as he threatened to enlist into the infantry, which I knew he was unable to stand (being only 15 years old), I advised him, being a musician to join the above band... Soon after enlistment his poor father, a man of 65 years of age, who was willing for his only child and support to serve his country for a few years, was struck down with disease and for the last 18 months has not been able to leave his bed. The poor boy has been sickly most of the time, but expecting to go home soon, he kept up. Now he has been told that he would have to serve out his term of 3 years... Having persuaded him to enlist into the Band, I now make this effort to get him discharged and respectfully beg that my request may be granted..." De Geer signs at the conclusion. Most interestingly, this letter is docketed on the verso by six officers in addition to De Geer, including: West Virginia brigadier general JOSEPH A.J. LIGHTBURN (1824-1901), who adds the docket "Before Atlanta Ga. Aug. 16, 1864", forwards the letter and signs in black ink, adding his rank "Brig. Genl. Comg."; Major general and Memorial Day founder JOHN A. LOGAN (1826-1886), who adds the docket "Before Atlanta Ga. Aug. 17/64", with the note "Respectfully forwarded with the recommendation that this soldier be discharged", and signs in black ink, adding his rank "Maj. Genl"; and major general, Medal of Honor winner and senior commander at Gettysburg OLIVER OTIS HOWARD (1830-1909), who adds his signature in black ink to a docket as above in another hand, dated "Aug. 18/64". Shows original mailing folds and slight toning to the edges, else very good.

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February 18, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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