Abraham Lincoln ALS - December 28, 1861...

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Abraham Lincoln ALS - December 28, 1861 Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln"), 1 page (5 x 8 in.; 127 x 203 mm.), 28 December 1861, Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., written to Henry Liebenan [sic], Esq. (Joseph Henry Liebenau). Letter tipped on the left margin to a larger 6.25 x 8.5 in. leaf for display; light soiling. Abraham Lincoln writes a gentleman informing him that he has "...no power to remove a Lieut. Colonel appointed by the Governor of New York." Lincoln writes in full: My dear Sir: Your private letter in regard to Mr. "Burtwell" is received. I have no power to remove a Lieut. Colonel appointed by the Governor of New York. The appeal must be made, if at all, to the Governor. Yours etc., A. Lincoln Published in "The Collective Works of Abraham Lincoln" (University Press: New Brunswick, N.J., 1953), Volume V, page 81, as being written to "Henry Liebman" (his actual name was Joseph Henry Liebnau). Libenau was a well-heeled New Yorker in the textile business, with a long membership in the "Silk Stocking" regiment of the New York Militia (Company B, 7th Regiment). Accompanied by a document listing Liebenau as an officer of the Seventh Regiment National Guard. Mr. "Burtwell" referred to by Lincoln is Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Henry Burtnett, then serving with the "Governor Morgan Light Artillery". An 8 October 1861 article in The New York Times states Burtnett's involvement in a violent assault on a New York attorney, which might explain the request for the removal of his command.