Description:

George H. Thomas
Tuscumbia, AL, July 3, 1862
Gen. Geo. Thomas ALS to McPherson re: Allocation of Rail Personnel
ALS

George H. Thomas ALS. 1p. with integral sheet, 4.75" x 7.75"; Tuscumbia, Alabama; July 3, 1862. General Thomas writes to General James B. McPherson asking for instructions on how to proceed with the disposition of railroad engineer. At this time, the Union was actively attempting to secure northern Alabama, for which the railroads were vital. Includes a modern reprint of a Civil War era photograph of Thomas (4.375" x 6.5"). Docketed on the verso. Bright paper and bold ink.

From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

In full:

"Mr A H Russell who will hand you this was sent here by Genl Buell's order with an Engineer & fireman to take charge of the Engine sent round from Nashville. As the engine was disabled before his arrival I send him to you for instructions what to do. The Engineer informed me this morning that you had sent him word to return to Nashville. I therefore let him go up to Dublin this afternoon.

Respectfully
Geo. H Thomas
Maj Gnl & Cm."

At the time of this letter, Thomas was operating in the Tuscumbia–Decatur–Huntsville corridor under Don Carlos Buell. McPherson was then serving as chief engineer under Ulysses S. Grant. This letter relates to the contested condition and use of the strategically vital Memphis & Charleston Railroad, which ran through Tuscumbia. Per Thomas, A. H. Russell had been sent by Buell's order "with an Engineer & fireman to take charge of the Engine sent round from Nashville" only to find the locomotive disabled. Understanding the value of railroad personnel, Thomas requests instruction on redirecting the engineer.

The letter reflects the intense struggle over railroad assets in the summer of 1862, when Buell is known to have been reallocating locomotives to support Union operations. Meanwhile, Confederate forces were moving engines southward out of Union reach or destroying them to prevent capture. A striking, real-time illustration of how control of railroads and the locomotives that powered them was central to both Union and the Confederates in the Western Theater.

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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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 4.75"
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