SMITH, CALEB BLOOD (1808-64) U.S. Interior Secretary – 1861-63 – Appointed by President Abraham Lincoln; U.S. Representative – Indiana - 1843-49

Civil War-Date Letter Signed – a resident seeks a pass to visit family in the Confederate town just two weeks before the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia – December 11-15, 1862

Letter Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, as Civil War Interior Secretary in the cabinet of Abraham Lincoln.  Addressing army Commander-in-Chief Henry Wager Halleck, Smith seeks a pass for “a loyal man” of the town shortly before the pivotal Civil War battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

“Dep[artmen]t of the Interior
Wash[ington], Nov[ember] 24, 1862

Sir,

The Bearer Mr. C.B. Cole of Fredericksburg Vir[ginia] desires to visit his family who are residing there.  He is a loyal man of that State and you will gratify me very much if you will furnish him with the proper pass.

Very Respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Caleb B. Smith

Maj[or] Gen[era]l Halleck
Commander in Chief, & c.”

Excellent, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds.