Union Major General - New York

MacDOUGALL, CLINTON D. (1839-1914) Union Brevet Brigadier General – New York

Barlow served with distinction on the Peninsula, at Sharpsburg, where he was severely wounded, and at Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, he was again severely wounded and left for dead on the field, surviving only as a result of aid he received from Confederate General John B. Gordon. Barlow returned to the army for the Overland campaign, where at Spotsylvania, troops under his command, along with those of David Bell Birney, captured three thousand Confederates.

Recommending the Replacement for a Union Officer – Killed-in-Action during Grant’s First Assault on Petersburg, Virginia

War-Date Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ½” x 9 ½”, by 111^th New York Colonel Clinton D. MacDougall, later brevetted brigadier general. Addressing the adjutant general of New York, MacDougall poignantly recommends that Governor Horatio Seymour appoint Captain Winfield Scott colonel of the 126^th New York, a vacancy caused by the death of Colonel William H. Baird during Grant’s first direct assault on Petersburg, Virginia on June 16, 1864. Previously recommended for a field position by MacDougall is 126^th New York Captain Morris Brown, Jr. – a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for the capture of an enemy flag at Gettysburg – also killed at Petersburg on June 22. Thus MacDougall’s letter, dated June 10, was undoubtedly misdated, backdated, or begun on the tenth and finished later.

“Head Quarters 3^rd Brig[ade] 1^st Div[ision] 2^nd Corps, Near Petersburg, Va., June 10, 1864. Brig. Genl. Jno. T. Sprague, Adjt. Genl. of N.Y. General, I would most respectfully recommend for the consideration of His Excellency Gov. Seymour, the appointment of Capt. Winfield Scott, 126^th Reg. New York Vols. (In this Brigade) to the position of Col., made vacant by the death of Col. Wm. H. Baird who was killed in action June 16^th. Captain Scott's claims to the position are as follows – He is the senior Capt. of the Regt. The present Lt. Col. was formerly Adjutant of the Regt. and has done but very little duty with it. He has been absent from it for a long time, and is now upon duty as ass[istan]t pro[vost] mar[shal] of Wisconsin. Capt. Scott commanded the Regt. during the absence of Col. Baird in the first five battles of this Eventful Campaign, falling seriously wounded while in command, during the charge at Spotsylvania May 18^th. Capt. Scott was seriously wounded at Harpers Ferry in 1862, but has performed his duty faithfully with his regiment, when so lame from the effects of his wound as to be unable to walk without a cane. He is at present absent suffering from his wound received on the 18^th of May. I can speak of him only as a gallant and faithful officer and one in Every way worthy of promotion. Capt. Morris Brown, Jr. whom I recommended some days since for a position as field officer was killed on the 22^nd inst[ant]. Hoping His Excellency may reward Capt. Scott’s efforts in the behalf of our cause with a Commission as Col. (The Lt. Col. will probably never do any duty with the Regt). I am, General, Very Respectfully Yours, C.D. MacDougall, Col. 111^th N.Y.Vol[unteer] Inf[antr]y Commanding Brigade.”

Autograph Endorsement Signed, by Barlow, on the reverse of the letter’s integral leaf:

"H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs 1^st Div[ision] 2^nd Corps, July 5/[18]64. Respectfully forwarded approved. I trust that this promotion will be bestowed by his Excellency the Governor of the State of New York upon Capt. Scott rather than upon the present Lt. Col. who has not been with his Regt. in the field in this Campaign. Francis C. Barlow, Brig. Gen. Com[man]d[in]g Div[ision]."

Captain Scott was himself discharged for wounds on September 23, 1864, dramatically illustrating the heavy casualties inflicted upon the Union troops, including commissioned officers, during Grant's 1864 campaign to take Richmond.

There are a few small stains and pinholes, along with some wear, weakness, and clean paper separation along the usual folds.

American Civil War Nurse; Founder of the American Red Cross

Barton's work in providing medicine and supplies to the wounded on the Civil War front lines earned her the sobriquet "The Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross.

Autograph Letter Signed, on imprinted 8” x 10” Red Cross stationery, thanking a friend for the gift of a puppy.

“Bedford, Ind[iana], July 18, 1893. My dear friend Ray D. Hill, I write at once to answer your letters to myself and to Mr. Morton telling of the sending of the much prized puppy. We shall look for his arrival at Bedford tomorrow as that is the nearest point of Adams’ Express to the Park at present. I leave here tomorrow P.M. on my way towards home, and fearing I might not be here when the puppy should arrive I wanted to tell you as far as it had got, and that it is all right so far. We drove over to the Park (four miles) and took your letter to Mr. Morton this P.M. He was very much pleased. He read the pedigree with great satisfaction, and will be sure not to let it weaken. He knows a fine kennel of St. Bernards in Louisville and may yet have something equally fine at RedCrossPark. In any case he will know who to thank and he will, and he does. Your sincere and affectionate friend, Clara Barton.”

The letter bears light soiling and wear, and there is clean separation at several of the usual folds, with associated slight paper loss at center. The upper portion of the letterhead has been trimmed slightly.

American Civil War Nurse; Founder of the American Red Cross

Barton's work in providing medicine and supplies to the wounded on the Civil War front lines earned her the sobriquet "The Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross.

Autograph Letter Signed, 4” x 6 ¼”, undated, responding to an autograph request.

“My dear Mrs. Perkins, I regret that your very small request has been obliged to wait so long for a response, but it affords me great pleasure to be able to comply even at this late date. I write you from my summer resort at 1000 Islands, - & am, Very Sincerely, Clara Barton.”

A fine example in excellent condition.

U.S. Postmaster General - 1861-64; Brother of Francis P. Blair, Jr.; Mayor of St. Louis – 1842-43; Counsel for Dred Scott before the U.S. Supreme Court

“…I have written to Col. Fremont by this mail & via Nicaragua at considerable length…”

Autograph Letter Signed, 2 ½ pages, on a folded 8” x 10” letter-sheet. Writing to his sister from San Francisco, Blair discusses his health and laboriously explains his difficulty in writing. He further mentions business matters with John C. Fremont, the noted western explorer whom the influential and politically connected Blair family had backed in the presidential election of 1856.

“San Francisco, Aug. 16, [18]59. My dear Sister, I have nothing to write & have written to Mary sending d[ra]fts. You will hear from her every thing I have to say but still I like to say a word or so to you all at Silver Spring where so large a part of my affections dwell. I have not been quite well & am not yet as well as I would like to be. But I really think it is home sickness as much as any thing else that ails me. I have had occasional symptoms lately of a return of the Panama fever but I have stopped them & am now [?] on matters very energetically. Don’t tell momma a word of this for the sound would for she…go mad about it. I wrote home because you would expect longer & fuller letters than I can write. I have written her tho at my usual length tho I found it hard work to find matter to fill my sheets to her…I am now in no mood to dwell here or on things here in any letters I want to get away. But I start [?] I get every thing fixed so I can leave [?] in good condition. Write me therefore just as if I were a fixture – tho the thought of such a prospect would slay me outright.

I have written to Col. Fremont by this mail & via Nicaragua at considerable length & about some matters of importance to him. You say that since writing I have had a conversation with J[?] who tells me he has a power of atty. & promised to bring it here to my office yesterday. But he did not. I seldom see him & don’t know where to hunt him. I suppose he will turn up in a few days again & if his [?] are sufficient. I will get him to act on them & get a contract with Palmer to set aside proceedings in case not approved by Fremont.

Our promising uncle James D. Blair has put around here from the Sandwich Islands whence he hails now. I have not seen him & shall not seek him. It is just as well to keep at a respectful distance from such fellows especially when they [word omitted] of him to you. Y[ou]rs Aff[ectionatel]y, M. Blair.

Ned [?] & his wife & the cooks [are] better than I have seen her in years very much improved & she has got that if nothing else by coming here. She sends love to you & mother.”

Overall condition is very good, with the usual folds and a few small stains.

Union Major General – Massachusetts; Republican U.S. Congressman – Massachusetts – 1867-75 & 1877-79; U.S. Presidential Candidate – Greenback Party - 1884

Known as “Beast Butler” for his harsh treatment of civilians in New Orleans, Butler had, ironically, nominated Jefferson Davis for the presidency on the 1860 Democratic ticket.

Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, “Benj. F. Butler, Commanding Officer of the Fifth Regiment of Lt. Infantry,” on a partly printed form, approving pay of twenty-five dollars to George F. Sawtell for services as adjutant in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia for the year ending December 31, 1854.

Condition is excellent, with very light, even toning and two horizontal folds.

As a contender for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860, Cameron threw his support to Lincoln when promised a cabinet seat. His brief tenure as Secretary of War was so marked by corruption that he was forced to resign in 1862.

“…Please accept a note, I send for your Album in the handwriting of Mrs. Lincoln with the frank of the good President…”

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ¾” x 7 ¼”, discussing a Pennsylvania election with “Master Rodney A. Mercier,” and sending autographs of Abraham and Mary Lincoln.

“Harrisburg [Pennsylvania], Oct. 11, 1866. My dear Young Friend, Your letter of yesterday has relieved my great anxiety for the vote of Bradford, and I thank you. I felt certain of your Father’s reelection but I was not so certain of Col. Tracy’s vote, especially since the defection in Phila[delphia]. We all say, all hail for the great North of Pennsylvania. This morning we think the majority will be 18, or 20,000. Please accept a note, I send for your Album in the handwriting of Mrs. Lincoln with the frank of the good President. When you make us the promised visit with your mother & Mrs. Goodrich, I will hunt up for you some other relics. With remembrance to your Father & Mother believe me to be your Friend, Simon Cameron.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several folds, a few superficial edge tears, and an ink stain at the conclusion of the letter.

U.S. Secretary of War - 1861-62

As a contender for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860, Cameron threw his support to Lincoln when promised a cabinet seat. His brief tenure as Secretary of War was so marked by corruption that he was forced to resign in 1862.

Signature, “Simon Cameron,” on a narrow, ½” x 3 ½” slip of paper.

As Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, Chase was instrumental in the efforts to finance the war and was responsible for the issue and acceptance of paper money as legal tender. Continued rivalry and strife with Lincoln precipitated his appointment to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Roger B. Taney in 1864.

Ordering Copies of His Senate Speech Against the Fugitive Slave Act

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ½” x 5”, as a first-term U.S. Senator from Ohio, requesting additional copies of his speech, probably Chase’s impassioned oration opposing the Fugitive Slave Act, a provision in the Compromise of 1850 which required northern citizens to assist in the return of suspected runaway slaves to the South, delivered before the U.S. Senate on March 26 – 27, 1850.

“Wash[ingto]n, May 6, [18]50. Dear Sir, Please send me 20 more copies of my speech, in packages of 5 each, as the enclosed $1 will pay for. Y[ou]rs, S.P. Chase.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several horizontal folds and minor paper loss at the corners.

Union Major General – Kentucky

Though from an aristocratic, slave-holding Kentucky family, Clay established an antislavery newspaper, The True American, in Lexington, Kentucky in 1845. A Mexican War veteran and prominent Republican Party figure, he declined a general’s appointment due to Lincoln’s refusal to abolish slavery in the early Civil War years. Clay served as U.S. Minister to Russia from 1863 to 1869.

Autograph Quotation Signed, on a 3” x 5 ¼” card, with five additional lines attributed to Abraham Lincoln and William Lloyd Garrison, in Clay’s hand beneath.

“’Life Liberty Property & the Pursuit of Happiness.’ Cassius M. Clay. ‘I always thought the man who raised the corn should cut it.’ A. Lincon [sic]. ‘The Man with God on his side is in a majority.’ Wm. L. Garrison.”

Accompanied by a printed September 5, 1900 copy of Clay’s poem, “Song of the Sea,” with Clay’s manuscript alteration of one word.

There are a few old mounting remnants on the reverse of both pieces.

Republican U.S. Congressman – New York – 1859-63; U.S. Senator - New York – 1867-81

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ¼”, “Roscoe Conkling.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with a light diagonal crease at the upper left corner and a few old mounting traces on the reverse.

Union Major General – Ohio

A West Point graduate, Crook led the 36^th Ohio at South Mountain and Sharpsburg before commanding a cavalry division under Thomas at Chickamauga. In February of 1865, he and General Benjamin Kelley were captured by Confederate Partisan Rangers under Captain Jesse McNeill at Cumberland Maryland, and were subsequently exchanged. After the war, Crook was an Indian fighter noted for the defeat of Crazy Horse at Rosebud Creek, and was engaged in the search for Geronimo.

War-Date Signature, with rank, “George Crook, Briga[dier] Gen[eral] Com[mandin]g Div[isio]n,” on a 1 ¼” x 3 ½” slip of paper, removed from a larger document or letter. Signed with the rank Crook held from September 7, 1862 through October 21, 1864, this autograph can probably be dated to the mid-war period when Crook commanded divisions in the Army of the Cumberland and, later, in the Department of West Virginia.

There is light tape residue along the upper edge.

Union Major General – Iowa; Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad – 1866-70; U.S. Congressman – Iowa – 1867-69

Dodge led the 4^th Iowa Infantry at Pea Ridge and the 16^th Corps in the Atlanta Campaign. As Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, he was instrumental in the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

Autograph Letter Signed, on the imprinted 6” x 9” stationery of The Arlington, in Washington, D.C.

“Dec. 1, 1907. Mr. Walter L. Smith, I found in talking with the [?] that postage on D…’s speech to 600,000 people would be $6000.00. How many voters are there this is large a sum perhaps you can figure to reduce it. S… thought if $2000.00 got it distributed probably would do. H… considers it and determine what is best there is no way of cheaper distribution is there – I enclose copy…G.M. Dodge."

Lightly and evenly toned, with light horizontal folds; brushing of ink to a few letters.