Description:

UNION GENERALS HENRY W. SLOCUM AND ALPHEUS WILLIAMS
Fine association pair of A.E.S.'s on a good content, war-date letter, 1p. 4to., [n.p.], April 4, 1863, from a 1st Lieutenant John D. Woodbury to Maj. John T. Sprague, Adjutant General of New York, in full: ‘I have the honor to solicit from His Excellency [New York] Gov [Horatio] Seymour the appointment of Captain of Battery ‘M' 1st N. Y. Artillery since [Captain] Cothran promoted. I have served with the Company in the Capacity of Commissioned Officer since its organization.' The verso bears four glowing endorsements of Woodbury, the first from the aforementioned captain of the battery, George W. Cothran, in part: ‘...I have served with him in the field and in several engagements with the enemy and found him to be an officer of undoubted courage and possessed of the requisite capacity for command to make an excellent Battery commander. He is also the choice of nearly every man in the Battery (after I have left it) and he is the man of all men in whose hands I had rather the command of the Battery should be entrusted. No man can render it more serviceable or more worthy of the Empire State, than he…' The next endorsement comes from the Chief of Artillery of the 12th Corps, Capt. C. L. Best, in part: ‘...I have known and noticed Lieut Woodbury all through [Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P.] Banks' and [Maj. Gen. John] Pope's operations, down to the present moment, and know him to be a faithful, willing and good officer…' The request is further endorsed by ALPHEUS WILLIAMS (1810-1871), a Mexican American and Civil War Union brigadier general who saw action at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Sherman's March to the Sea, and who was later a U.S. Congressman. He writes, in part: ‘Head Qu 1st Div 12 Corps April 4 1863 I concur in the foreg'ing recommendation… I consider Lt. Woodbury well qualified for the promotion.' He signs boldly ‘A Williams' at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank ‘Brig. Genl. Comg. Div.' The request is finally endorsed by HENRY W. SLOCUM (1827-1894), a Union major general who commanded the Union right at Gettysburg and fought with Sherman in Georgia and the Carolinas. He writes, in full: ‘Head Qrs. 12 Corps April 4th 1863. Lt. Woodbury has an excellent reputation as an artillery officer & I cordially concur in the recommendation for his promotion.' He signs ‘H. W. Slocum' at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank ‘Maj Gen Cols Com'dg'. An additional, illegible note in blue indelible pencil is also present. Shows original mailing folds, with some brushing to the ink in Williams' endorsement and signature, otherwise in very good to fine condition. Sold with a period frontispiece engraving of Slocum, with his facsimile signature beneath the portrait. John D. Woodbury would duly be promoted to the rank of captain and assigned command of Battery M, receiving his commission on July 4, 1863, one day after seeing heavy action at Gettysburg.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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