Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
Union General's letter written by Brevet Major General Thomas Howard Ruger (1833-1907), as colonel of the 3rd Wisconsin Vols., 8pp. 8vo., "Camp near Washington, Va., July 22, 1862," to his wife, in small part: "…the enemy thirty thousand strong under [Stonewall] Jackson are at Gordonsville…about sixty miles or three good days march from here. Whether they are there for the purpose of watching us or making a dash a few days will…determine. If the latter…[they will] move the main body towards Warrenton in hopes to get between us and Washington. I am in hopes Gen. Pope will be the man for the occasion…successfully determine the campaign…it would throw the rebels back…substantially. I took dinner with Capt. [Samuel B.] Holabird…Maj. [Louis Henry] Pelouze who was at school with me is now Gen. Banks' Adjutant General. I called on Gen. Banks and had quite a talk. The Gen. is in favor of decided measures. For my part I am in favor of filling up the regiments known the field by draft…what we need is men, especially non-producers who could be spared without any difficulty…giving such exorbitant bounty to induce men to enlist is all humbug…the men who are here did not need it…I see no reason why it should be offered now…it looks as if the government relied more on money inducement than its own vigor…those who can be spared…should be drafted. Halleck tis said is going to Washington. I hope so for we have seen enough of the control…by men who do not seem to understand the first principle. The country may be deceived for the present by all this [?] and cry raised about emancipation and Confiscation, but the time will come when men will see that armies are not defeated by acts of Congress. It is very probable that slavery would have been practically abolished by the movements of the army without legislation…the men who are talking so glibly and feeling so…democratic…are the very ones who would not come out to fight under any circumstances…there are plenty of men in the North who would make good soldiers, at half the expense and in a quarter of the time that [than] regiments of engross would make only very poor ones. It is all folly to talk about Negro brigades. I doubt very much both the sincerity and intelligence of the man who talks about negro soldiers. What is wanted is certainty, only to be attained by the best means, good men in good time…I do not get discouraged easily but I must say that I am disgusted with the temper of the times…we have no commander in chief, but a Secretary of War instead…Howard." Also included is the original stamped transmittal cover, with a blue "Banks' Division" postage cancellation mark, addressed: "Mrs. T. H. Ruger. Care of Rev. T. J. Ruger, Janesviile, Wisconsin." Near fine.
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.