September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Stephen B. Shellady, 7pp. octavo, Monroe, Iowa, February 5, 1862, addressed to Governor Kirkwood, and reads in part: "...I called on you a few days ago at the request of Co. B 5th Regt Iowa Volunteers in order to request you not to commission any person as 2nd lieutenant of said Co. till the company made a choice themselves...Since that time I learn from members of that Co. that the colonel has appointed a man by the name of Foley to that office, a man that has never belonged to the company, a man that they know nothing about....This is the second time that the Col has imposed a man on that Co. for 2nd Lieutenant that had not been with the company. The Co. are justly indignant at this kind of treatment and say that this man Foley shall never take command in the Co. There was a difficulty between this Company and the Col. some time in the fall and I presume he is now taking his revenge. The difficulty was this, a Secesh farmer came into camp and complained to the Col. that some of his men had been taking his apples. The Col. ordered the companies on parade and the farmer went through the companies and picked out of Co. B three men that he said were the men. Capt. Chapman promptly put them under guard. As the farmer went out of camp he said he heard some person threaten his life. He went back to the Col and complained again. The Col. ordered Cap. Chapman to find out who made the threat, Chapman had the co. on parade and every man denied making the threat. The Col. then ordered the Capt to put his men under oath...He then ordered them to put them and their word of honor as men and soldiers. Chapman told him his men were always on honor and refused to obey. The Col. put the Capt. under arrest and told the co. not to go on parade with their arms till they told who made the threat. The company went on dress parade with their arms loaded and lay on their arms all night. The Irish Regt and one Indiana Regt told them to stand up for their rights and they would see them out in the matter....I know there is a high minded honorable man in this co. who are qualified to fill almost any office and who will not submit to be thus degraded. I hope you have not commissioned this Foley and that you will not do so..." Fine condition. John P. Foley was commissioned as lieutenant in March 1862, but was later promoted and dismissed in February 1863.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.