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Civil War-dated ALS, signed “Geo. B. McClellan, Maj. Gnl, Comg. USA,” one page, both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, January 27, 1862. Addressed from “Hd Qtrs of the Army,” a handwritten letter to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, in full: “The matter of arming the Berdan Sharp Shooters seems to require an immediate decision. It is a corps composed of picked material, most of the men have been here for a long time & are still unarmed. Without going through a long story it may suffice to say that the men are raised under the promise of being provided with some superior breech loading arm & that they are fully competent to use & take care of such a weapon.
From many causes they have not yet been provided with these or any other arms. There are now in Washington 1000 Colts rifles which can be purchased by the Gvt for $45 each (usual price $52.50), there are one thousand more on hand at Hartford which can be had at once on the same terms. I understand that the Sharp Manufacturing can furnish 1000 rifles about the 4th of the next month. I would recommend that the 1000 Colts rifles now in this city be purchased & that the 1000 Sharps rifles which will probably be ready next week be also purchased & that all the arms be issued to Berdan's Sharp Shooters. I have now no doubt that these troops thus armed will prove a very valuable addition to our force. The men are much disheartened by repeated disappointments." Includes the letters’s detached second integral page, which bears a signed handwritten endorsement from Stanton, which reads: “The Chief of Ordinance will forthwith carry into effect the written recommendation if practicable – & if there be any objection or difficulty in doing so report to me immediately, Edwin M. Stanton, Sec. of War, Jany 28, 1862.” In fine condition.
Hiram Berdan (1824-1893) was an American engineer, inventor, military officer, and marksman. He was the guiding force behind and commanding colonel of the U.S. Volunteer Sharpshooter Regiments during the American Civil War. During battle, the mission of the sharpshooter was to kill enemy targets of importance from long range. The first regiment of volunteers began service in late November 1860. During their service, they fought in every Eastern battle up until the autumn of 1864. During their tour, the Sharpshooters were noted for efficient service in the battles of Yorktown, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, and Petersburg.
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