ALS signed “A. Doubleday,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, November 27, 1870. Written from San Francisco, a letter to President U. S. Grant’s brother-in-law, General Frederick T. Dent, in full: "I have not written to you for a long time because I supposed you were overwhelmed with correspondents and official business. I saw a miserable attack upon you the other day in the Sun and was extremely disgusted. You people however who live in high places must expect to be pelted with mud occasionally. I always imagined Dana was a man of refinement and culture. Nothing could exceed my surprise to find him capable of editing a mere police gazette of the most unscrupulous character. I had no idea he would distort the simplest actions in such a malicious and vindictive manner. I am very pleasantly situated in charge of the Recruiting Service on the Pacific Coast. We are all very harmonious here, so there is nothing very unusual to relate. Every one however is in a high state of excitement with reference to reconstruction. We have all kinds of rumors of the most contradictory description. We hear that you and Wallen Neal and Upton are to be Lieut. Cols of Arty, and that all the Field officers of Arty who have been in 30 years are to retire, except Hunt & Barry. Then comes another report that only Sherman & Haskin are to retire. For my own part I am perfectly willing to leave the whole matter where it belongs, in the hands of the President, for I have no idea he would do any injustice to old officers. He was the only man I ever voted for. Almost every officer of rank seems to think his enemies will rush on to Washington and get him put out. Imagine an officer who has been in service all his life thrown out on a years pay to commence life anew. Ten to one he would not get a third of this pay on account of stoppages by the Auditors. He thus finds himself thrown on the world penniless. I know this would be the case with me and I should hardly know which way to turn. But as I said we do not believe Genl Grant will do any injustice. I hope we will know the result for all are in a state of feverish impatience at present. If you can give me any information with reference to this without a betrayal of confidence it would be a great favor. I will write you again in regard to other topics which interest both of us. Give my kind regards to the President and tell him if he will come out here he will receive a glorious reception. I hope you will accompany him if he does come." Matted and framed to an overall size of 16.25 x 14.5; frame backing features a window for viewing the reverse. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA.
Frederick T. Dent had been Ulysses S. Grant’s roommate at West Point in their last year, 1842-1843. Grant kept in touch with Dent after graduation and, in 1844, visited the Dent home in St. Louis where he met Frederick’s 18-year-old sister, Julia, whom Grant married in 1848. In 1864, General Grant appointed Dent Aide-de-Camp to the General-in-Chief, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. By the end of the war, Dent served briefly as Military Governor of Richmond and was made Brigadier General of Volunteers to rank from April 5, 1865, as well as a Brigadier General by brevet in the Regular Army. As a Colonel of Staff he served as President Grant’s military secretary until 1873, when he was assigned to the command of Fort Trumbull, New London, Connecticut.
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