Attending The Funeral of Major General John Sedgwick

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015

A great war-date Connecticut home front letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a certain George M. Kellogg, Warren, [CT], May 17, 1864 to his friend Augustine Sackett, mostly concerning attending the funeral for Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick who was famously killed by a sniper at Spotsylvania, Va., on May 9, 1864, in part: "…I attended the funeral of Maj. Gen. Sedgwick on Sunday the 15th in Cornwall Hollow. There was no display & but for the vast concourse of people (estimated 1,500 to 3,000) one would have supposed it the funeral of some ordinary man; instead of the leader of a mighty army. Twice has he been offered the command of the Potomac army, but refused it each time. He was modest…he was a brave & able commander…had he been ambitious he could have held the highest military office in the land. The state wished to pay her hero the just tribute which he so richly deserves…but it was a wish he had expressed, as also…his relatives that there should be no display. Connecticut has not been lacking in great men. She counts her Lyon, Winthrop, Foote & Sedgwick. All lie beneath the sod…the campaign has thus far resulted in our favor but the rebellion is not ended yet…I am glad we have a general & means for following up an advantage. I have not seen anything…lately about your fighting that ram. I should think your vessel was adopted for such business…your old friend Geo. M. Kellogg". The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "Mr. Augustine Sackett, 2nd Asst. Eng., USS Mattabasett, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron", is included. Near fine.

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