Edwin M. Stanton Civil War Content Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of War

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Edwin M. Stanton Civil War Content Autograph Letter Signed as Secretary of War:
$3495.00

One page, 7.75” x 10”, War Department, Washington, March 14, 1862, marked “Private” and “General Butler” marked at the top, reads in part: Dear Sir, \"Will you please cause the operations of General Butler’s Quarter Master, Capt. Paul R. George, to be investigated and reported upon by some reliable detective, or other competent person, and also report any facts that may come to your knowledge respecting his transactions in regard to General Butler’s Expedition.” Signed Yours Truly, Edwin M. Stanton. Captain George’s transgressions may be lost to history but it is known that he was discharged from service just six days later on March 20, 1862 and his appointment negated by the U. S. Senate. Letter is toned, else legible and in very good condition.
This letter was written 5 days after the famousbattle between the Monitor and the Merrimack (CSS Virginia) during the American Civil War (1861-65). This was history’s first duel between ironclad warships. The engagement, known as the Battle of Hampton Roads, was part of a Confederate effort to break the Union blockade of Southern ports, including Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia, that had been imposed at the start of the war. Though the battle itself was inconclusive, it began a new era in naval warfare.

Edwin McMasters Stanton(December 19, 1814– December 24, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served asSecretary of Warunder theLincoln Administrationduring most of theAmerican Civil War. Stanton\'s management helped organize the massive military resources of theNorthand guide the Union to victory. He also organized the manhunt for Lincoln\'s killer,John Wilkes Booth. However, he was criticized by many Union generals for perceived over-cautiousness and micromanagement.

AfterLincoln\'s assassination, Stanton remained as the Secretary of War under the new PresidentAndrew Johnsonduring the first years ofReconstruction. He opposed the lenient policies of Johnson towards the formerConfederate States. Johnson\'s attempt to dismiss Stanton ultimately led to President Johnson being impeached by theRadical Republicansin the House of Representatives. Stanton returned to law after retiring as Secretary of War, and in 1869 was nominated as anAssociate Justice of the Supreme Courtby Johnson\'s successor,Ulysses S. Grant; however, he died four days after his nomination was confirmed by the Senate.

This is a great piece of Civil War History.Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection