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Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed ...
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Sold on Oct 26, 2019 for:
$9,375.00
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Description
Ulysses S. Grant Autograph Letter Signed "U.S. Grant Lt. Gen." One page, 7.75" x 9.75", City Point, Virginia; August 25, 1864. In a letter to Major General Edward O.C. Ord, Grant writes:"I have just received the dispatch to Gen. Pickett which was intercepted by our Signal Officers. If there is to be any blowing up it will probably be in front of the 18th Corps. The men who are likely to be exposed however ought to be notified so they will not be stampeded. If we can be on our guard when a mine is sprung the enemy ought to be repulsed with great slaughter. Where do you understand from the dispatch the explosion was to take place?"
Earlier in the day, Col. John W. Shaffer had notified Grant that a telegraph was intercepted from C.S.A. General Beauregard to General Pickett reading, "Your despatch of date 2 P.m. recd. Be prepared to blow up your mine at any time - A.S. Hokes two divisions are ordered to you - Pontoon bridge across Appomattox must be captured as soon as practicable." A massive explosion had already rocked General Grant's headquarters at City Point on August 9, when a Confederate secret service agent planted a bomb aboard an ammunition barge. The explosion killed nearly 60 people, injured another 126, and caused nearly 4 million dollars in damage. Despite this, the city recovered and business had returned to normal by a week later. Major General Ord was in command of the 18th Corps of Butler's Army of the James, and held the position at the extreme right of the Union lines in the trenches surrounding Petersburg. This location was extremely important, as it was where the Union and Confederate lines were closest in proximity to each other, and Grant was keen to protect and hold the position. From the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection.
Condition: Flattened mail folds. There is an area of soiling at the top left corner from a rusted paperclip, along with some minor soiling at the letter's corners. On verso, there is some mounting remnants along the right edge and at the lower portion. Overall very good.
Auction Info
2019 October 26 Historical Manuscripts Featuring the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection - Dallas #6216 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2019
26th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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