Found 1 items in the class "Autographs/Civil_War".

	Union Autographs: GENERAL GEORGE L. ANDREWS 1861 Autographed Letter Signed Seeking Military Appointment Plus an A.L.S. by Abolitionist John G. Palfrey and 2 Autographed Endorsements Signed by Radical Republican Senator Charles Sumner (1828-99) Born at Bridgewater, Mass., he graduated #1 in the West Point class of 1851. As an officer in the elite Corps of Engineers, he worked on the construction of Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor, and then taught at West Point as an assistant professor. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry, and became their colonel in June 1862. He received his commission as brigadier general of volunteers on November 10, 1862. He fought in the early battles in the eastern theatre of war including Cedar Mountain and Antietam. He served with General N.P. Banks as his chief of staff, in the Louisiana campaign, taking part in the siege and capture of Port Hudson. He was then placed in command at Baton Rouge where he was charged with the organization and training of Negro troops and he later participated in the attack on Mobile. War Date Autographed Letter Signed: 3 1/2 pages, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4, in ink. Boston, April 13, 1861. Hon. J.G. Palfrey, Dear Sir, I had the pleasure of an interview with you yesterday in which I stated my desire to obtain an appointment as Paymaster in the Army. As you are no doubt aware, the duty of officers of the Pay Department is to attend to the payment of the officers and privates of the Army. They are entrusted with the disbursements of large sums of money and should be careful, trustworthy men. They are mostly appointed from those who are, or have been, officers of the Army. Of the immense sums which have been disbursed by Army officers, but a very trifling amount has been lost by the Government. On the score of my qualifications, considering my standing at the Military Academy, my service in the Army under Col. Thayer, and the varied experience in business which I have had since I left the service, I presume no questions would be raised. Satisfactory testimonials from those with whom I have been connected in civil life, are on file at the War Department. I have letters of recommendation and endorsements from Messrs. Adams, Rice, Train, Appleton, Alley and Buffington, Representatives to Congress from this State, also from Senators Wilson and Sumner. From an examination of the Army Register, it appears that New England, according to population and representation in Congress has not her proper share of the appointments to the General Staff, of which the Pay Department forms a part. By the numerous resignations from the Army at this time, promotion is sufficiently rapid for those who retain their commissions, while there are very few opportunities for those now out of service to return. As so many are leaving the service, would it not be well to encourage the return of well qualified officers who have been for some time out of service. While I have, in this city and elsewhere, several friends of high standing in society, among whom are Messrs. Wm. Dwight, Wm. Amory, Chas. Amory, Gardner Brewer, Dr. John Homans, and Col. Thayer, I have none of much political influence, and without this, in these times, the best recommendations seem to have little effect. I am well aware that those having such influence have much on their hands to secure appointments for their political supporters, and friends, and may feel that their influence is nearly exhausted, but in this respect all are in the same boat. The appointment which I desire is not a political one, nor have I met with a competition from this section of the country. From what I hear of Senator Sumner, I believe he would be disposed to use his influence to secure the appointment of a well qualified, reliable person who would do credit to the appointment, notwithstanding the person's political influence might be small. If I could have his personal application to the Secretary of War in my behalf, it would be of the greatest advantage to me, and personal application by some influential person, is indispensable to put one on a footing with other applicants. Doubtless there are others who might do much to secure my appointment. I believe I have now given you a pretty correct statement of the case and if you can aid me in this matter which you have very kindly expressed your willingness to do, I shall be very grateful. If you should wish to communicate with me a note directed to care of Gardner Brewer & Co., 57 Federal St., or to United States Hotel would reach me. Very Respectfully Yours, George L. Andrews. Note the date this letter was written. The day after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Autographed Endorsement Signed by Senator Charles Sumner: I hope that Mr. Andrews may be appointed. Charles Sumner. The letter sheet has a stain across the top fold, and some small edge chips out of the paper. None of this affects any of the content. Bold and neatly written A.L.S. by Andrews, with a bold A.E.S. on the reverse by Senator Sumner. Included is an autographed letter signed by John G. Palfrey, to Senator Charles Sumner. Sumner has also endorsed the back of this letter. John G. Palfrey: (1796-1881) Graduated from Harvard in 1815. He studied theology at Harvard, and then accepted the pastorate of Boston's Brattle Street Congregational-Unitarian Church in 1818. He resigned in 1830 to accept the chair of sacred literature at Harvard and remained there through 1839 as dean of faculty and as one of three preachers at University Chapel. From 1835-43, he served as editor of the North American Review and early allied himself with the anti-slavery movement. In 1842, he was elected to the Massachusetts legislature and served until 1843. From 1844-48, he was secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and also served in Congress, 1847-49. He served as Boston's Postmaster, 1861-67, and attended the anti-slavery congress in Paris as an American delegate. War Date Autographed Letter Signed: 3 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, on imprinted letter sheet. Post Office, Boston, Mass., April 19, 1861. My dear Sumner, Pray oblige me by reading the accompanying note, then, if you have no objection to writing directly to Mr. Secretary Cameron on the subject therein proposed, I think you would thereby render a solid public service, besides conferring a great benefit on a man of eminent deserve. I think it is nine or ten years since Mr. Andrews graduated from the Military Academy with the Corps of Engineers. At West Point he was not only the first man in his class, but I have learned that he was the only man who down to his time had been first in every branch. I believe that he married, & wanting therefore more money, resigned to better himself as a civil engineer, where by reason of the rail way operations following on the duress of the times, he was disappointed. This, with the thinking of a soldier's blood, makes him want to get back into the service through the only, or the most practicable of means that now seems open. He is a man good for the present distress (as the apostle says) & to be heard of hereafter. Faithfully yours, John G. Palfrey. Autographed Endorsement Signed: The within letter from the Honorable Mr. Palfrey is entitled to best attention. Charles Sumner. Light age toning and fold wear. Charles Sumner: (1811-74) After graduating from Harvard, he became a lawyer. A staunch abolitionist, he was violently opposed to the extension of slave territory, and was elected Senator in 1851 on this ticket. In 1856 he delivered an invective laden speech called "The Crime Against Kansas" in which he insulted a South Carolina senator who was not present. Two days later, Representative Preston Brooks, of S.C., a relative of the reviled man, attacked Sumner viciously with a cane. Sumner did not recover for three years, although he continued to hold his Senate seat. After secession he refused to let the Senate consider a compromise between the sections and constantly urged emancipation and equal rights for negroes. Although he had supported Lincoln, he was one of the leaders in the impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson. This is a very desirable pair of related letters, with endorsements by the famous Radical Republican Senator Charles Sumner. Remarkably they have stayed together after 146 years and we are pleased to offer them.     $350.00

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