Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. helps Dead Civil War soldiers family

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015

Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. September 1831 - February 1878. American businessman and philanthropist. Helped found the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Natural History, friend and supporter of President Abraham Lincoln, and father of President Theodore Roosevelt. Excellent content 1 1/4 pg, December 31, 1862, New York. On United States Allotment Commission stationary. Roosevelt was a commissioner with this commission, which was an agency of the federal government during the Civil War. It was a program whereby 1/3 of a participating Union soldiers pay was sent home to family and friends. The purpose was to prevent wasteful spending among idle and bored soldiers in camp. This letter, written to Francis Root, pertains to Roosevelt helping him financially when he brought a dead Union soldier relative back north. The letter reads in part: "Yours of the 22nd inst. is rec'd and I feel that I must express my thanks to you for having appreciated my kindness so much beyond its merrits. I enclose the form of application which you will have to make out, fill in the blanks, swear to before a judge, commissioner, notary public, or justice of the peace....should you desire any further information I will be happy to furnish it..... Yours sincerely, Theodore Roosevelt". What makes this letter even more fascinating is the note written on the back of the first page, which reads: "This letter was among Aunt Lee's things. Grandfather Root had gone south to Uncle Augustus who was in the Civil War and ill. Just as they were about to start north he died. Some where on the way - New York City I think - when grandfather was bringing the body back a man seeing he was in deep trouble spoke to him and offered him money "in case he needed it". Grandfather had very little with him and accepted it, and asked his name, to which he replied "Theodore Roosevelt". Aunt Lee always said the man was President Roosevelt's father. Edith Root". The man that had died was Augustus Root, who served with the 148th NY Infantry. He died in Baltimore on December 14, 1862. Roosevelt was writing back to Francis Root in reply to a letter he sent him thanking him for his kindness. Roosevelt is most humble in his response. An excellent content letter

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