2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
WOOL, John (1784-1869) Union major general who commanded the Department of Virginia until his retirement in 1863. Manuscript Letter Signed, “John E. Wool Major General U.S. Army” two separate quarto sheets, November 11, 1862, Baltimore, Headquarters, Middle Department, 8th Army Corps, addressed to the “Editors of the ‘Baltimore American’”, with good content it reads in most part: “...In the report, as published in the newspapers, of the Commission, consisting of the following officers: Major General D. Hunter, U.S. Volunteers, Major General G. Cadwader, Brigadier General C.C. Auger, Major Dunn Piatt, A.A.G., Captain F. Ball, A.D.C., and Colonel I. Holt, Judge Advocat General, called by the Government to investigate the conduct of certain officers connected with, and the circumstances attending the abandonment of Maryland Heights and the surrender of Harper’s Ferry. I find the following remarks applying to myself: ‘The Commission would not have dwelled upon this painful subject, were it not for the fact, that the Officers who placed this incapable (Col. Miles) in command should hsare in the responsibility, and in the opinon of the Commission, Major-General Wool is guilty to this extent of a grave disaster, and should be censured for his conduct.’ If the report of the Commission in relation to the surrender of Harper’s Ferry, has no more truth for its foundation than is contianed in the above paragraph, it can only be regarded as a fiction, without a shadow of proof for its foundation. It is not true, that I placed ‘this incapable (Col. Miles) in command of Harper’s Ferry.’ He was there in command at the time when I assumed control of this Department, and had been ordered to establish his Head Quarters there on the 29th of March by Major General McClellan, then General-in-Chief...” Two repairs on first page, one on second, else VG.
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