Twentieth President of the United States (1831–1881) and the second U.S. President to be assassinated. His term as Chief Executive, second in brevity only to that of William Henry Harrison, lasted just six months and fifteen days, from March to September 1881. War–dated ALS, four pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, October 31, 1862. Letter to Wall J. Ford, in which he bemoans his service upon a military court of inquiry hearing the case against the commander of Union forces at the First Battle of Bull Run, Irvin McDowell. In part: “Instead of ‘hearing drums and seeing a battle’ as the old song has it, I am put on a Court of Inquiry in the case of Gen. McDowell which promises to keep me here half a month at least. I have been indignant and disgusted till it is of no use to say anymore about it. I appear to be of too much value to the Department to be assigned a battle command…I of course expect not to be kept very much longer. Do you know whether I am elected to Congress or not?!!! I suppose there was an election held in the Ashtabula District, but I have not had very distinct information of the fact…I wish you would tell me if anybody was elected, and if so–and if ‘who’ did any majority and if so how much.” A few small separations along intersecting mailing folds, and a bit of light toning, otherwise fine condition. Originally acquired from Christie’s in New York in 2002 as part of the Forbes collection. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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