2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Bernard H. Gotthelf…the second minister of his faith to be officially appointed a military chaplain in the entire history of the United States (and, for that matter in modern world history of any country). Immigrating to America in 1840 at age 21 he first served congregations in Philadelphia, arriving to his long term position as rabbi of Anshe Chesed congregation in Louisville, Kentucky, 1851. Exceptionally lengthy 3 page (9 x 11) letter penned in his very neat hand, in German with many Hebrew words interspersed and his bold autograph signature. From Louisville, August 6, 1851 to Isaac Leeser. Accompanied by an equally lengthy English translation which quite adequately portrays the difficult circumstances he was having in his new position and the utterly unbridled, if not savage and destructive competition he was experiencing to keep that post while harassed by a bitter, if not destructive, competitor. Tells Leeser he's writing because he wants the matter "…brought to the attention of your readers on both sides of the Atlantic…you know the conditions under which I was taken on here as I had the same job in Phila and I think I have the right to state that I enjoyed the regards and devotion of my entire congregation…" Talks about being brought to Louisville "…at first everything seemed to go nicely. We started out with about 40 students and after two months we had 94…" Then along came "Mr. Henry" and how quickly the picture changed ! Gotthelf writes at great length of all the intrigue and evil deeds committed by Henry against him, actually calling him a "Judas Escariot," describing all the many under-handed acts that Henry contrived to vilify and undermine him, ending with: "What I tell you are facts and you would greatly oblige me by printing them in the OCCIDENT in your own words. I am responsible for the truthfulness and for the consequences." Few minor short tears on the top fold only. Last page acts as cover with address and "Louisville" postmark. Accompanied with important photostatic copies from "American Jewry and the Civil War" by B. W. Korn (1951) with lengthy details on the appointment of Jewish Chaplains and much about Gotthelf. He served 28 months as U.S. Army Chaplain for Union hospitals in Kentucky and did much to aid not only wounded Jewish soldiers but the almost two to three thousand sick and wounded Union soldiers of German heritage. It makes specific mention that his "…was perhaps the first example of…non-denominational service which Jewish Chaplains and war service agencies rendered so frequently during subsequent wars of the U.S." interesting notes of Gothelf's Union army service.
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