Description:

William McKinley
[Washington, DC], n.d. but probably Summer or Fall 1898
William McKinley AM Telegraph Draft Re: Spanish-American War Mustering Out, To Marcus Hanna
AM

A 1p autograph manuscript comprised of 51 words in the hand of 25th U.S. President William McKinley (1843-1901), being a telegraph message draft addressed to U.S. Senator from Ohio Mark Hanna. N.d. but likely written during the Summer or Fall of 1898. [Washington, D.C.] Pencil-inscribed on a leaf of bifold stationery with "Executive Mansion. / Washington" embossed letterhead which has been laid down on a chipboard mount. Several edits in McKinley's hand include cross-outs and rewrites. A clerical marking is present at lower right. Expected wear including toning, mat burn, and isolated discoloration. A previous collector's typed summary of the document found below is a little faded but reads: "Draft of telegram relating to the Ohio Volunteers, Spanish-American War, written by President McKinley at the request of Senator Mark Hanna, in the late Summer or Fall of 1898." Good to very good. 7" x 9." Provenance: Parke Bernet Galleries, 1963.

President McKinley wrote in full:

"Hon M A Hanna.
Cleveland O-

The 5th Regt is well known to me and if it be the desire of the men of the Regt to remain in the service the order for their muster out will be revoked. This fact must be first known before the order is given."

Two aspects of this outstanding William McKinley manuscript make it special: first, that it relates to the Spanish-American War; and second, that it was addressed to Mark Hanna (1837-1904), McKinley's close friend, political adviser, and former campaign manager. Although initially Senator Hanna had not advocated for military intervention in Cuba in 1897, he later got behind President McKinley's request for Senate support for Cuban independence in April 1898. The resulting Spanish-American War lasted a little less than four months, between April 21 and August 13, 1898.

The 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized in late April 1898 and its volunteers, primarily raised in Cleveland, mustered in between mid-May and late June 1898. The assembled 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment numbering a little less than 1,000 officers and men was promptly dispatched to Florida. The 5th Ohio did not actually see any fighting, as the armistice was signed before they were sent to Cuba. Although there were no casualties on the battlefield, the 5th Ohio lost over 30 men to disease or desertion. The Regiment returned to Cleveland where they mustered out on November 5, 1898. McKinley's order for a revocation of the mustering out orders were therefore not necessary.

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" x 9"
  • Medium: AM

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