James A. Garfield ALS On Back of Thomas Vincent Letter Re: Battle of Chickamauga Commander Promotion
James Garfield
Washington, DC, February 5, 1864
James A. Garfield ALS On Back of Thomas Vincent Letter Re: Battle of Chickamauga Commander Promotion
ALS on back of LS
A 1p autograph letter signed by James A. Garfield (1831-1881), future 20th U.S. President, then a U.S. Congressman from Ohio, as "J.A. Garfield." February 5, 1864. Washington, D.C. Garfield has written the ALS on the outer leaf of a 2pp letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General Thomas McCurdy Vincent (1832-1909), as "Thomas M Vincent" at the top of the second page, dated one day earlier, on February 4, 1864. Washington, D.C. Vincent's letter is on partly-printed "War Department / Adjutant General's Office" letterhead. The center panel of the outer leaf has been docketed. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some with closed tears which have been repaired. Isolated ink smearing to Garfield's letter, with uneven toning to the outer leaf. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.875". Comes with the former collector's copious research printouts. From The Doug Wertman Collection.
Assistant Adjutant General Thomas M. Vincent addressed the first (front) letter to Congressman Garfield regarding the promotion request of one Lieutenant Colonel William H. Young of the 26th Ohio Volunteers. Unfortunately, Young's request to assume the rank of Colonel upon the retirement of the former Colonel was denied, and Congressman Garfield's lobbying for Young proved ineffective. The second (back) letter is from Garfield to Lieutenant Colonel Young reporting the disappointing news.
In part, with original usage:
"My Dear Colonel
I went to the War Dept and applied to have you mustered in accordance with your request. They promised a full examination of the case - + the within is the result I am sorry - but it is the best I could do with them With kindest regards I am very Truly yours
J.A. Garfield"
In early 1864, Garfield had already represented the 19th Congressional District of his home state of Ohio for nearly one year, since assuming office in March 1863. Prior to that, Garfield had accepted a commission in the 42nd Ohio Infantry Regiment of the Union Army, and he was active in military recruitment and fundraising. It is unclear how Garfield knew Lieutenant Young, but it could have been through either a Buckeye or a military connection. General Vincent himself hailed from Ohio as well.
The War Department's decision to decline Lieutenant Colonel Young's request is surprising when one considers Young's outstanding war record. Young had been with the 26th Ohio Volunteers - known as the Groundhog Regiment - since its mustering in at Camp Chase, Ohio in the Summer of 1861. He was with the outfit in numerous encampments and engagements in West Virginia and Kentucky. Young commanded troops during the bloody Battle of Chickamauga (September 18-20, 1863), when his forces sustained heavy casualties. Young also fought at the Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863.) The previous collector unearthed information that Young resigned from the U.S. Army within two months of receiving this denial, but this could not be independently verified. If Young's resignation could be corroborated, his decision to do so would probably be explained by this very letter.
Although not as valuable as the Garfield ALS, the Thomas Vincent LS is a desirable addition, since he had an interesting connection with not one but two assassinated U.S. Presidents: Lincoln and Garfield. Vincent witnessed Abraham Lincoln's death and "coined" Lincoln on his deathbed, which entailed "smoothing the eyes of the dead President… [and] plac[ing] coins upon them for a last long slumber…" Thus Vincent interacted with two slain leaders: Garfield on at least this one occasion in 1864, and Lincoln on the latter's deathbed.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authenti
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James Garfield
Washington, DC, February 5, 1864
James A. Garfield ALS On Back of Thomas Vincent Letter Re: Battle of Chickamauga Commander Promotion
ALS on back of LS
A 1p autograph letter signed by James A. Garfield (1831-1881), future 20th U.S. President, then a U.S. Congressman from Ohio, as "J.A. Garfield." February 5, 1864. Washington, D.C. Garfield has written the ALS on the outer leaf of a 2pp letter signed by Assistant Adjutant General Thomas McCurdy Vincent (1832-1909), as "Thomas M Vincent" at the top of the second page, dated one day earlier, on February 4, 1864. Washington, D.C. Vincent's letter is on partly-printed "War Department / Adjutant General's Office" letterhead. The center panel of the outer leaf has been docketed. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some with closed tears which have been repaired. Isolated ink smearing to Garfield's letter, with uneven toning to the outer leaf. Else near fine. 7.875" x 9.875". Comes with the former collector's copious research printouts. From The Doug Wertman Collection.
Assistant Adjutant General Thomas M. Vincent addressed the first (front) letter to Congressman Garfield regarding the promotion request of one Lieutenant Colonel William H. Young of the 26th Ohio Volunteers. Unfortunately, Young's request to assume the rank of Colonel upon the retirement of the former Colonel was denied, and Congressman Garfield's lobbying for Young proved ineffective. The second (back) letter is from Garfield to Lieutenant Colonel Young reporting the disappointing news.
In part, with original usage:
"My Dear Colonel
I went to the War Dept and applied to have you mustered in accordance with your request. They promised a full examination of the case - + the within is the result I am sorry - but it is the best I could do with them With kindest regards I am very Truly yours
J.A. Garfield"
In early 1864, Garfield had already represented the 19th Congressional District of his home state of Ohio for nearly one year, since assuming office in March 1863. Prior to that, Garfield had accepted a commission in the 42nd Ohio Infantry Regiment of the Union Army, and he was active in military recruitment and fundraising. It is unclear how Garfield knew Lieutenant Young, but it could have been through either a Buckeye or a military connection. General Vincent himself hailed from Ohio as well.
The War Department's decision to decline Lieutenant Colonel Young's request is surprising when one considers Young's outstanding war record. Young had been with the 26th Ohio Volunteers - known as the Groundhog Regiment - since its mustering in at Camp Chase, Ohio in the Summer of 1861. He was with the outfit in numerous encampments and engagements in West Virginia and Kentucky. Young commanded troops during the bloody Battle of Chickamauga (September 18-20, 1863), when his forces sustained heavy casualties. Young also fought at the Battle of Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863.) The previous collector unearthed information that Young resigned from the U.S. Army within two months of receiving this denial, but this could not be independently verified. If Young's resignation could be corroborated, his decision to do so would probably be explained by this very letter.
Although not as valuable as the Garfield ALS, the Thomas Vincent LS is a desirable addition, since he had an interesting connection with not one but two assassinated U.S. Presidents: Lincoln and Garfield. Vincent witnessed Abraham Lincoln's death and "coined" Lincoln on his deathbed, which entailed "smoothing the eyes of the dead President… [and] plac[ing] coins upon them for a last long slumber…" Thus Vincent interacted with two slain leaders: Garfield on at least this one occasion in 1864, and Lincoln on the latter's deathbed.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authenti
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
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