Description:

Ulysses S. Grant
Washington, DC, February 13, 1877
Grant as President Signs With 1st African American Full-Term Senator Along with Sheridan; Application of a "faithful soldier"
AES

ULYSSES S. GRANT, Autograph Endorsement Signed, February 13, 1877, Washington, D.C., on Henry C. Frick to J. Donald Cameron, February 13, 1877, Washington, D.C. 4 pp., 8" x 10". Expected folds; general toning; soiling on folds; endorsements added to bottom third of interior two pages; very good.

Henry C. Fisk, the former colonel of the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry, applied to Secretary of War J. Donald Cameron (1833-1918) for a position as a clerk in the War Department. In addition to an endorsement by President Ulysses S. Grant, this brief application letter includes endorsements by five U. S. Senators: John J. Patterson (1830-1912) of South Carolina; former slave Blanche K. Bruce (1841-1898) of Mississippi; Angus Cameron (1826-1897) of Wisconsin; William Windom (1827-1891) of Minnesota; and George E. Spencer (1836-1893) of Alabama. Two additional Civil War generals also endorsed the application: Lieutenant-General Philip K. Sheridan (1831-1888), who a few years later succeeded William T. Sherman as Commanding General of the U.S. Army; and Brevet Major General Horatio G. Wright (1820-1899), soon to be named Chief of Engineers.

Despite the powerful array of endorsements, it does not appear that Fisk received a position as clerk in the War Department. A few weeks after Grant endorsed this letter, Secretary of War J. Donald Cameron resigned his position to take a seat in the U.S. Senate to succeed his father, former Senator and Secretary of War Simon Cameron. George W. McCrary (1835-1890) succeeded Cameron as Secretary of War on March 12, 1877.

Complete Transcript
"Washington, D.C.,
Feb'y 13, 1877
To the Honorable / The Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.,
Sir:
I have the honor to apply for a clerk-ship in the War Department, and respectfully refer you to the endorsements and testimonials accompanying this application.
Very Respectfully
Henry C. Fisk"

[Endorsement:]
"I respectfully recommend the within appointment as due to a brave soldier & a worthy man
Jno J. Patterson"

[Endorsement:]
"I concur
B. K. Bruce"

[Endorsement by Grant:]
"Mr. Fisk is strongly indorsed as a good and faithful soldier and is therefore strongly urged for a position under the Govt. If the Sec of War can give him a clerkship I desire that he should do so.
U.S. Grant
Feby 16th / 77"

[Endorsement:]
"I am well acquainted with Mr. Fisk. he was a good soldier and is a very capable and efficient man. I hope he will be given a place under the Government
Angus Cameron"

[Endorsement:]
"I fully concur in the above recommendation
Wm Windom"

[Endorsement:]
"I earnestly hope Mr. Fisk may be appointed I am anxious that he should be appointed without delay as he is worthy & deserving
Geo. E. Spencer"

[Endorsement:]
"Davenport Ia. May 7th 77
Col Fisk was an officer of the 65th N. Y. Vols. Serving as such during almost the Entire war of the rebellion, and at its end was mustered out of service as the Col of that regiment.
I well remember him while I commanded the 6th Army Corps in which he served, as a gallant and faithful officer; and if he shall prove as good a clerk as he did a soldier, I am sure the War Dept will not regret giving him the position for which he applies.
H. G. Wright / Bvt Maj Genl U.S.A"

[Endorsement:]
"Headquarters / Mil. Division of the West / Chicago, Illinois
June 9th 1877
Colonel Henry C. Fisk of the 65th N. Y. Volunteers made a fine military record during the war & I fully concur in the endorsements of Gen Grant and Genl Wright. I believe him qualified for the position that he seeks and I trust that the best interests of the service will admit of his appointment
P. H. Sheridan / Lieutenant General / U.S. Army"

Henry C. Fisk / Daniel Fisher (1838-1918) was born in New York. By 1860, he was a tinsmith and printer in Wellsville, New York. In June 1861, he mustered in as a first sergeant in Company C of the 67th New York Infantry. He received promotions to second lieutenant in October 1861 and captain in June 1862. On September 1, 1864, he transferred to the 65th New York Infantry as captain of Company C. He was commissioned lieutenant colonel on November 15 to replace T. H. Higginbotham, who was killed in action. On June 13, 1865, he was promoted to colonel to replace J. E. Hamblin, who had been promoted to brigadier general. He mustered out with the 65th New York Infantry on July 17, 1865. He married Mary Elizabeth Nichols (1835-1913), and they had at least four children. After the war, he returned to Wellsville and worked as a printer. By 1880, he and his family lived in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a clerk. In 1915, he applied for an invalid pension from Alabama, where he was a shipping clerk. As "Daniel Fisher," he may also have married Jennie F. Fisher, as his widow's pension was contested. He later moved to New Hampshire, where he died in August 1918.

Ex. Charles Hamilton, 1971.

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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