July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
PLEASANTON, Augustus James (1808-94) West Point 1826, May 16, 1861, he was appointed brigadier-general of the Pennsylvania militia, and had intrusted to him the organization and subsequent command during the war of a home guard of ten thousand men, composed of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, and designed for the defence of Philadelphia in case of need. A great war-date Autograph Letter Signed by Augustus James Pleasantono as Brigadier General Commanding the Home Guard, to Pennsylvania Governor Curtin, March 16 1862 on "Head Quarters Home Guard" letterhead, 4pp., quarto, in small part, "I invite your attention again to the defenceless condition of the City of Philadelphia...this order has arisen from the ironclad rebel steamer Merrimac ... Jamestown and Yorktown upon the US Blockading squadron in Hampton Road - and the consequential destruction of the Cumberland Sloop Man of War and capture of the Congress frigate…the commanding general has felt it necessary to make a show of defence at Fort Mifflin by mounting these light guns, tho he knew that the heavy batteries of the Cumberland and Congress had made no imposition on the iron clad war ships of the rebels...". Pleasanton continues with the preparations being made in the states of Delaware and others by the Federal government, while no such effort is directed to assist Pennsylvania: "…should not the interest of Pennsylvania aid [in] the safety of her principle city...even tho her troops are largely expended in carrying the war into the heart of the rebellious states? ...". Very good condition.
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