Description:

Joseph Hooker
Bridgeport, AL, November 20, 1863
J. Hooker, H.W. Slocum, A.S. Williams, & J. Knipe Approve a Recruiting Party During the Chattanooga Campaign
Signed endorsement

Joseph Hooker, Henry W. Slocum, Alpheus S. Williams, and Joseph F. Knipe signed endorsements. 3 p. letter with endorsements on page 4 of a bifold now detached; 7.75" x 9.625". Letter is written from Bridgeport, Alabama and is dated November 20, 1863. Archibald L. McDougall writes to C. Goddard, Assistant Adjutant General of the Department of the Cumberland requesting permission to send a recruiting party to Washington County, NY stating that the 123rd New York Volunteers had lost 151 men "in killed and wounded in battle." With signatures, "Joseph Hooker", "H.W. Slocum", "A.S. Williams", and "Jos. F.Knipe" all approving the request with dates ranging from November 24 to 29, 1863. Minor separations along the folds at the margins and soiling along the integral folds.

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

Letter reads in part: "In urging this application I beg leave to state that the Regiment was raised (16) sixteen months ago…that it has been constantly in the field since that time: that it has lost in killed and wounded in battle over one hundred and fifty one men: that it has never received any recruits or conscripts: that five (5) non-con-officers have recently received commissions as Lieuts in the Regt but cannot be mustered in because the Regt has become so reduced in size…" He then lists twelve men, one from each company, to be in the party and closes the letter with his signature and rank: "A.L. McDougall / Col Comdg 123 N.Y. Vol. Infty."

The 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry was organized at Salem and mustered into service on September 4, 1862, under Colonel Archibald L. McDougall, who writes this letter. Assigned to the XII Corps of the Army of the Potomac, the regiment first saw major action at the Battle of Chancellorsville, where it was heavily engaged during the Confederate flank attack on the Union right. It next fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, serving on Culp's Hill and participating in the hard fighting that secured the Union right on July 2 and 3. Following Gettysburg, the regiment moved with XII Corps into Tennessee in the autumn of 1863 and was engaged in the Battle of Wauhatchie during the operations to reopen supply lines to Chattanooga.

Despite the great need for recruits, McDougall's request was eventually denied. The 123rd NY would engage in Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge four days later on November 24 and 25. McDougall died from wounds sustained at the Battle of Dallas (May 28, 1864) during the Atlanta Campaign the following year. A fantastic array of signatures dating from a decisive turning point in the Western Theater and concerning a hard-fought unit.

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: 9.625" x 7.75"
  • Medium: Signed endorsement

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