Description:

SAMUEL R. CURTIS
(1806 - 1866) Union major general, one of the first Republicans elected to Congress. Famous for his victories at the Battles of Pea Ridge and Westport. Rare, fine military content war-date A.L.S., 4pp. 4to., Lebanon, MO, Feb. 4, 1862, to his nephew, Laiffe. Curtis writes at the outset of the Arkansas campaign which would culminate in the Battle of Pea Ridge on March 7-8, 1862, in part: ‘Your letters have all been duly received and always read with interest; but a man that has 15 or 20 thousand men to command has very little time for writing letters or attending his own private affairs… My forces are coming towards me at this point 50 miles from Springfield where the enemy is waiting for me. Such weather and roads never were seen, but I am pushing and pulling to carry on this winter campaign. – I think most of my force will march by the 10th inst, and then I shall push forward with my 3 divisions to attack the enemy in his strongholds. - We have had snow, ice, high water and deep mud to fight with ever since we left the rail roads at Rolla and Otterville but our men seem intent on the object of our coming and bear up under the most trying difficulties. – Col. [William] Vandever has just arrived. His regiment will be in tomorrow. Genls [Franz] Sigel and [Alexander] Asboth are toiling through the mud and water between Rolla and this place. The country is very rough stoney [sic] and hilly; but the valleys break through and there seems to be no bottom to the mud holes… I have only two Iowa regiments the 4th and the 9th and a Battery. – I have tried hard to get Iowa troops, especially the regiments which I have had most to do with; but they are ordered elsewhere. Even the ‘Curtis Horse' a namesake and the company of Kane County Cavalry that was all summer attached to my service as a Bodyguard, I am not yet able to get either. The General [probably Henry W. Halleck] always answers they are so much needed ‘elsewhere'. – Yet I have some good troops, and I hope to bring them successfully up to the guns of the enemy. I will not state my force because I am not willing it shall get round to the enemy who is as usual when our troops meet, much more numerous than my force. If he have not two to my one, I shall be glad. Still some think he will not stand, but retreat; while some think he will fortify or disband. I shall test the matter as soon as I can collect my force and move it against him…' He signs ‘Saml. R. Curtis at the conclusion in black ink. Shows original mailing folds, with some minor splits between the leaves, otherwise in very good condition.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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