Description:

John C. Fremont
"Rossmore", "Wednesday evening"
John C. Fremont ALS Addressed To Col. Charles De Arnaud, Alleged Union Spy!
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by John C. Fremont (1813-1890) as "Frémont" at the conclusion. N.d. except "Wednesday evening." N.p. except "Rossmore." Inscribed on laid paper, probably once bifold but now sheared neatly along the left edge. Expected wear including gentle toning, flattened transmittal folds, and a few isolated scuffs or stains, else near fine. The letter measures 5.5" x 8.625." Accompanied by a J.G. Wells (New York, New York) patriotic cabinet card, labeled "Gen'l Fremont" at center, probably dating from one of Fremont's presidential bids, ca. 1856-1864. Moderately wrinkled, with bent or repaired corners, and mounting traces verso, else good, 3.875" x 5.75." The lot also comes with wonderful biographical information about Fremont's correspondent, Charles De Arnaud, including a copy of James W. Harlow's authoritative article, "'An Imposter If There Ever Was One': The Trials of Charles De Arnaud," National Archives, "Prologue Magazine," Spring 2015.

Fremont wrote this letter apprising his correspondent, "Col. Ch. De Arnaud," of his imminent plans to travel to Carlton Hill, in Rutherford, New Jersey. Charles A. De Arnaud (ca. 1835-1905) - who was alternately styled Captain, Colonel, or Baron in American society - was a Russian expatriate who had allegedly served as Fremont's personal special agent during the Civil War.

Fremont wrote to De Arnaud:

"Rossmore, Wednesday evening

Dear Colonel.

I will reach Carlton Hill a little after five tomorrow afternoon. There is no earlier train after twelve.

Yours
Frémont

Col. Ch. De Arnaud
Carlton Hill, N.J."

Charles De Arnaud claimed to be a Russian aristocrat and military engineer, as well as a Crimean War veteran. He appeared on the American scene just after the onset of the Civil War, in the summer of 1861. That is when General John C. Fremont, then overseeing the Department of the West, is believed to have personally commissioned De Arnaud as a Union officer. Special Agent De Arnaud, working under the alias "Alfred Arnaud," was tasked with gathering intelligence about Confederate troop movements in and around Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. He was supposedly arrested by Confederates in Union City, Tennessee in 1861 and wounded several times before escaping a death sentence for espionage.

Beginning in the mid-1880s, and continuing until his death at age 70 in December 1905, De Arnaud relentlessly sought recognition from the U.S. government for his military service, despite inconsistencies in his narratives and little if no corroborating evidence. De Arnaud demanded compensation in addition to a veteran's pension and the Medal of Honor. As Harlow explains in his article, "'An Imposter If There Ever Was One,'" Fremont provided "sparse testimony" about his relationship with De Arnaud, and "belatedly endorsed De Arnaud's account two decades after the war." Evidently, the pair was on favorable enough terms for Fremont to have visited De Arnaud at Carlton Hill. We can venture when this visit may have happened; the Columbus, Georgia "Enquirer-Sun" reported in its August 17, 1888 issue that: "Gen. John C. Fremont is spending a few weeks at the residence of Col. D'Arnaud, 'Carlton Hill,' West Rutherford, New Jersey."

John C. Fremont was dubbed the "Pathfinder" after leading five expeditions through Western territories during the 1830s and 1840s. The fiery Mexican War veteran was appointed Governor of California in 1847 and served as one of the first two senators from California. Fremont become the first Republican Party presidential candidate in 1856. It was during this campaign that Abraham Lincoln became deeply involved in the election process, giving about 50 speeches in favor of Fremont, and also compiling an analysis of 1856 Illinois election returns. Fremont attempted one more presidential bid in 1864 as a Radical Republican, but failed. He served as Governor of the Arizona Territory between 1878-1872. When Fremont's business ventures permanently overturned in the 1870s, his wife Jessie Benton Fremont began to publish travel narratives and other memoirs to earn some income.

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: letter: 5.5" x 8.625"
  • Medium: ALS

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