Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed as President. One page, 5 x 8 inches, Washington, D.C.; September 23, 1864. A...
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Description
Abraham Lincoln Autograph Letter Signed as President. One page, 5 x 8 inches, Washington, D.C.; September 23, 1864. A letter on Executive Mansion letterhead to a Major Gaines. Letter reads in full:"Please send me the transcript of the trial of Cap't George A. Bennett, in order that I can have it reviewed by the Judge Advocate General.
Yours truly, A. Lincoln."
The trial referenced in the letter is regarding Captain George A. Bennett, the commanding officer of the Union Light Guard of Ohio, the group of specialized soldiers serving as the bodyguard to President Lincoln in and around Washington. Bennett had been court-martialed for misappropriation of forage and supplies and falsifying records. He was found guilty of nearly all counts and sentenced to be dismissed from the service and ordered to forfeit all pay and allowances due. A compassionate Lincoln apparently felt this sentence was too severe for a serviceman who had pledged to guard Lincoln's life with his own. Despite Lincoln's expressed interest in the case as indicated by his request that Bennett's trial be reviewed, Bennett was still discharged from the Guard.
Also known as the Seventh Independent Company [Squadron] of Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, the Union Light Guard was organized in late 1863 by Governor David Tod of Ohio, to provide for the President's security. Previously, members of infantry stationed at the White House were quite limited in the scope of actions they were permitted to take and had only been enlisted at the urging of Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. Though Confederate sympathizers were plentiful in D.C. at the time and at least one potential plan to abduct President Lincoln had been discovered, Lincoln often made unaccompanied trips around Washington. Most mornings and evenings during the war, he would venture alone on foot to the War Department to receive the latest news from the battlefield. On many occasions, he would visit the wounded at the Soldier's home near Washington and often spent the night there. After the formation of the Guard, they traveled there with him to ensure his protection.
According to Robert W. McBride, member of the Guard and author of "Lincoln's Bodyguard," Lincoln's "faith in his countrymen was such that... He could not believe that they would ever resort to political murder. He especially resented any suggestion that there was any such danger while he was mingling with the people on social occasions, or while he was visiting the theaters... Mrs. Lincoln did not share in this feeling. Her anxiety was such that... she privately requested that a detail from the Union Light Guard should... without Mr. Lincoln's knowledge, be stationed in[side] the White House... until her fears were allayed..."
Condition: Mounted on black paper. Minor toning with smoothed folds.
Reference: McBride, Robert W. Lincoln's Body Guard, the Union Light Guard of Ohio; With Some Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln. Indianapolis: E. J. Hecker, Printer, 1911.
Auction Info
2025 March 28 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6316 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
February
25th
Tuesday
Auction Dates
March
28th
Friday
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30 Days
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Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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