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E. O. C. Ord. Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed: "E. O. C. Ord/M Genl", four full pages, front and verso. H... (Total: 2 )
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Description
In 1867, General Ord writes from Mississippi about reconstruction.
E. O. C. Ord. Historically Important Autograph Letter Signed: "E. O. C. Ord/M Genl", four full pages, front and verso. Headquarters 4th Military District, (Mississippi and Arkansas), Holly Springs, Miss., November 20, 1867. To Genl J Tarbell, Hillsboro Scott County [Mississippi]- In part: "I have Recd a letter from Senator [Henry] Wilson [of Massachusetts]...he says - tell the Genls you mention (one of whom was yourself) 'that the way to organize is to make constitutions that secure equal rights to all, encourage the Education of all and promote industry, we don't want anything that does not deal justly with all - confiscation has few or no friends, our people want none of it, I go for removing the disabilities of all who are proving their loyalty by supporting reconstruction under the plan now adopted - the southern men that support the Southern plan show to all that they are ready to do what they can for their country tho personally disfranchised. I shall vote for removing their civil disabilities - I go too for repealing the Cotton tax so far as it applies to all cotton raised this year and refunding it when it has been paid. Equality to all - Generosity for all and Justice towards all should be the policy. I am sure it will be, Grant will be the repub candidate for and will be chosen president.' You can see the republicans of his stamp are for little or no prescription...as you say if the troops are withdrawn things will assume an uncomfortable state here...I have to account for all my acts - Report all removals and reasons for each; general charges of disloyalty or having been a rebel won't suffice and though I agree with you that there is much disguised hostility to northern & especially Southern reconstructionists, & yet difficult to prove...." Affixed at top edge to another sheet.Eight months earlier, Congress had passed over President Andrew Johnson's veto, an "Act to provide for the more efficient Government of the Rebel States." Ten former Confederate states were "divided into military districts and made subject to military authority of the United States." The 11th Confederate state, Tennessee, had ratified the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution in 1866 and had been readmitted to the Union. Five military districts were formed. Mississippi and Arkansas constituted the 4th. General Edward Ortho Cresap Ord was given command of the 4th Military District. During the Civil War, General Ord commanded troops in the Western Frontier, Louisiana and the Shenandoah Valley. He was seriously wounded in 1862 and 1864, but returned to his command each time. After the Civil War, Ord had also commanded the Department of Arkansas, the Department of California, the Department of the Platte, and the Department of Texas.
In this letter, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson correctly predicted the nomination and election of General Ulysses S. Grant as President in 1868. He had supported the use of federal troops to enforce Congressional Reconstruction. In 1868, Wilson made an extended speaking tour throughout the southern states. Journalists thought he wanted to be President but, as this letter proves, Wilson supported Grant; he wanted to be Vice President. Speaking in the South, he felt certain that, to survive, the Republican Party must be biracial. He told a Black audience in New Orleans "I do not want to see a white man's party or a black man's party...While a black man is as good as a white man, a white man is as good as a black man. See to it that while you are striving to lift yourselves up, you do not strive to pull anyone else down." At the 1868 Republican National Convention, Southern delegates generally supported Wilson's candidacy. He finished second on the first ballot for the Vice Presidential nomination, eventually losing to Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax. In 1872, however, Wilson was elected Grant's second term Vice President, in the first presidential election held after the Civil War with all Confederate states readmitted. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Ord.
Auction Info
2006 December Signature Civil War Auction #642 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2006
1st-2nd
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
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