Description:

Miles Nelson

Civil War General Nelson Miles signed ironic TLS, 1898

 

Single page TLS, 8" x 8," on letterhead of Headquarters of the Army, Washington D.C. Dated "September 12, 1898." Signed by Nelson A. Miles in graphite as "Nelson A. Miles." Letter lightly toned with expected folds. Small mounting remnants to verso, with penned notes in another hand along top edge of recto.

 

Nelson Miles, who was the last Commanding General of the United States Army, and commander of the American forces that invaded and occupied Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, writes a letter in response to an inquiry regarding Captain Stevens. At the time Stevens was a volunteer of the "1st Georgia Regiment Volunteers," and who wished to be transferred to the regular military but was concerned about his transferring rank. General Miles response was one noting he needed to be transferred under present existing laws and " … He can only enter the military service by entering the lowest grade of 2d Lieutenant either by promotion from the ranks or appointment from civil life. These appointments are made after the cadets from the Military Academy are assigned. In the event of a re-organization of the Army some opportunity may occur for the transfer which you desire, but it is impossible to know at the present time what will be done … "

 

Ambitious, nonconformist and thirsty for recognition, he became a hero for some and controversial for others, which casts a shadow of contradiction over his place in history. Ironically, General Miles himself had a similar desires and experiences as Captain Stevens of this TLS. Earlier in 1865 Miles was also a "transfer" from a Volunteer Corps, and also engaged in a request to transfer into the regular army while seeking a higher rank. By then he was sure his record in the Volunteer Army would ease his way up to the highest ranks in the regular army, specifically to the rank of Brigadier General, but he also learned the vital importance of high-level influences. He was eventually promoted to Colonel in the regular army and transferred to the West in 1866, and, although he accepted unwillingly, his new rank was basically the result of the use of political influence and was more than officers with more years of experience could have expected. As part of his quest for high rank, on June 30, 1868, Miles married Mary Hoyt Sherman, niece of Civil War hero Major General William T. Sherman, who was appointed Commanding General of the Army by President Ulysses S. Grant months later.

 

At the early age of 26, Miles became a controversial figure nationwide by having Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, shackled in his cell.

 

A fantastic TLS by this colorful and controversial General.


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