Lengthy war-dated handwritten endorsement, written as president, “A. Lincoln,” and dated June 9, 1863, on the reverse of a two-page letter to him from Congressman M. F. Odell, 8 x 9.75, dated June 3, 1863. Odell writes, in full: “The Bearer Col Fowler I take pleasure in introducing to you as the Colonel of my famous 14th Regt. (Col Wood). He went with the Regiment at commencement of the war. Was badly wounded at 2nd Bull Run, but shrank not from duty to his country. He seeks what I think he deserves promotion. He is a first class soldier & gentleman. Beside he commands a Regiment who has fought all the time and is in for the war. Another reason, a strong one I think, no man from Brooklyn has been promoted. I hope Col Fowler will receive the honor. All here will heartily rejoice. He has the commendation of his superior officers with him. If you will make him a Brigadier, my word for it you will be honored in the service he will render, and I shall be personally obliged.”
On the reverse of the second page, Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, in full: “I wish the promotion within personally requested by Hon. Mr. Odell to be made so soon as it consistently can be, first because I think the vouchers show that the appointment would be a good one for the service, & secondly because I would like to oblige Mr. Odell. A. Lincoln, June 9, 1863.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds, one passing through a line of Lincoln’s endorsement, and scattered light toning, mainly among folds (one of which, as previously stated, passes through a line of Lincoln’s text).
It is clear that Lincoln preferred honoring those who he considered to be allies. This letter features two such examples, one in which he expresses his wish to oblige Congressman Odell and the other in which he endorses a promotion of an officer from one of his favored Civil War outfits. Lincoln was particularly fond of the 14th Regiment of the New York State National Guard (the 14th Brooklyn), which was stationed near Washington, D.C., and would often visit the troops or order them to act as his personal guards when in camp or near the battlefield. As mentioned to Lincoln by Odell, Fowler was badly wounded at Second Bull Run in August 1862, and less than a month after delivering the missive to Lincoln, Fowler and his regiment fought at Gettysburg. The regiment also participated in the Union defeat at Chancellorsville shortly before this letter. The year 1863 featured several dark days for the sixteenth president, but would near its close with one of the most quoted speeches of all time, the Gettysburg Address. An unusually lengthy 49-word endorsement. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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