Description:

ROBERT PATTERSON
(1792 - 1881) Union major general of Pennsylvania volunteers sacked for his failure to halt Johnston at Bull Run. Both of his sons served as brevet brigadier generals as well as his son-in-law. Fine content war-date A.L.S., 2pp. 4to., Philadelphia, May 6, 1861, to an unidentified colonel. In part: ‘…Col. Murphy has just called on me with a note from you – about muskets or arms for Captain Coppes Boys. I beg to say that we have no arms to spare – and that we had better arm the men going into the field – than boys of the University school – who could not stand two hours service – the only arms now in the arsenal are those left by Col. Nagle. We had seven companies with smooth Bore muskets…I beg you not to meddle with the matter of arms – what with the home guard and other gentlemen anxious for glory at home – I have trouble enough. The government at Washington returns – very properly – all applications to the party and refers them to me – and I respectfully suggest that the authorities at Harrisburg do the same…any interference with the head of this department – must produce bad results…There are now I suppose some 150 to 200 companies of men and boys for ‘Home Guard' service interfering with Equipment of the Regiments for the field – annoying everybody – and swaggering through the streets to the disgust of every soldier – I beg you give no countenance to anything of this sort…destroy my letter as soon as you read it…'. Old tape repair on the verso, otherwise near fine. With an engraving of Patterson.

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May 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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