July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Union officer’s Autograph Letter Signed by Capt. Henry A Wiley, Company B, 104th New York Infantry, 3pp. folio, Near Belle Plain, Virginia, April 10, 1863, and reads in part: “..I am of the opinion that the consoldiation of our Regt and the 97 has fallen through and I am not sorry in the least. We have seen the effects of consolidation in our Regt once and it is to be hoped that we might profit by it...The President is making a visit and reviewing the whole army of the Potomac. Day before yesterday he reviewed three Army Corps near White Oak Church. Yesterday he reviewed one corps which is the First. Revile was beaten at 4 oclock in the morning and we were all ready and into lines at half past 5 am, and marched down to the Potomac and about two miles below Belle Plain landing on the flats which made rather a good place for a review. We arrived on the ground not far from ten oclock. Many troops having arrived before us and a good many coming afterwards. We waited until after two oclock when the artillery commenced firing a salute, which was the first notice that we had of the approach of the President, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Hooker and Staff with a numerous body guard. The President was looking finely, better I think than on any other occasion on which I had seen him. Gen. Hooker was looking splendidly. In fact I think it was quite complimenatry to the 1st Corps to be reviewed alone when on the other occasions three and even four corps were reviewed by him at the same time. I should think that we numbered over 16,000 men and all dressed in our best clothes with their arms all shining and glisenting in the sun made a very imposing and pleasing scene. The President and Gen. Hooker and Staff, Gen. Reynolds and staff with the Division, Gens Wadsworth, Robinson and Doubleday rode along the entire line, the President with his hat in his right hand bowing as he passed each regiment. He seemed to be well pleased with the appearance of the First Corps. No troops in the army have any better reputation for fighting than this corps, formerly Hookers, and commanded by him through the Maryland campaign. After passing in review each brigade left the field and marched to their respective camps all somewhat fatigued but no doubt feeling well repaid for the march by seeing the President and a number of other distinguished person...” Near fine condition.
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