Description:

Content Rich Letter from Union Soldier Re: Lincoln "I am not overrating him"

A Civil War-dated letter from a Union soldier, rich with Lincoln and anti-McClellan content. 2pp (front and back), measuring 7.75" x 12.5", Camp Morris, Pennsylvania, dated November 19, 1862. With flattened mail folds, small separations starting at folds. Light, uneven toning throughout. A few ink stains and minor soiling. Very fine overall.

Written and signed by Alexander King of the 147th New York Infantry Regiment, addressed to a friend, Mr. Bristol. King discusses patriotism in the regiment, the ill-use of the army by politicians for their own gains, and seeing President Lincoln at dress parade. He provides a particularly in-depth analysis of Lincoln's character and appearance, writing "He does not look like any likeness I ever saw of him, nor do I believe a likeness can be taken to represent him, you must see the live man to see him…" 

Highlights from the letter:
"…Our company & the regiment have had to pass through a course of assimilation & consequently a good many have been sick or partly so; & sickness together with some ill fair rather dampened our patriotism, but as a general throng, we are rallying from this; as for my single self, I am full up to the fighting point…I was induced to pen a few lined to you partly from old Friendship, & partly from a few remarks you dropped in one of Lansing's letters, concerning the triumph of the, I like to have said the rebels, but I will say Democrats & the deception practices by McClellan…this triumph has opened the eyes of the republicans; they see now that the army has been used for political purposes, & all the sacrifice of life & property has been to that effect, to worry the people into a compromise, & already John Van Buren & others are sent to Washington to propose compromise; But it won't go, Abraham Lincoln is President, notwithstanding Seymour is Governor of the Empire State. And sire I have seen Abraham & from the flash of his eye & the honest energy of his countenance I am convinced that he is the man for the emergency. He is the man that God has placed at the help & he is going to change horses; this balky team he will not drive any longer. He is going to take the balky Generals out of the harness, & put in those that will draw…
The President…two weeks ago last Sunday when we were out on dress parade rode along our line the regiment presented arms at the instant the present was made the President raised in his carriage took off his hat extended his right arm hat in hand. The appearance of that man at the time I cannot describe, but there was an energy a firmness a quickness of comprehension, a flash of the eye a genius of man that by the help of God in whom he trusts is equal to the exigencies of the times…He does not look like any likeness I ever saw of him, nor do I believe a likeness can be taken to represent him, you must see the live man to see him. I am not overrating him…
Thursday night…Burnside is making rapid strides for the junction of the Virginia capital & Fredericksburg & Richmond railroad…cavalry are pushing forward to the seat of war…if there is to be fighting to which, the 147 does not want to lie & rust on the defenses of Washington…"

The 147th New York Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Oswego Regiment" or "Ploughboys", was an infantry regiment of the Union Army that initially served in the defense of Washington but saw later engagements at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Appomattox.

Union soldier Alexander King enlisted as a 1st Sergeant at the age of 37 in early September 1862. He was mustered into Company D of the NY 147th Infantry, which he served with through the majority of the war. He was wounded on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, but soon recovered and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on August 10, 1863. The following year he was again promoted to 1st Lieutenant and then to Captain, whereupon he was transferred to Company B of the regiment. King survived the war and was eventually discharged in early June 1865.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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