2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
A great war-date Union general's A. L. S. "S. W . CRAWFORD" (1829-1892) as brigadier general, 6pp. 8vo., New York [City], Dec. 26, 1862, to Major John Titcomb Sprague [adjutant general state of New York 1863-1865 and brevet brigadier general U. S. A. 1865], concerning his recovery after being wounded at Antietam and of Winfield Scott's ill health and coming demise, reading, in part: "…I am much obliged to you for your active interest in regard to the commission for Mr. Kane. I shall be able to secure him a commission in one of the regiments here. I make no doubt of the minuscule pressure upon Gov. Morgan…Kane has not accepted the position in the 28th & I think it best he should not. The time of the regiment expires to soon…the Gov'r. of Pa. will give it to him if the Gov'r. of New York will not. I regret…that I did not know Miss. Muffin was in town. I remember perfectly passing the young ladies two or three times when I was beginning to walk about & I recognized a face among them that I felt quite sure I knew…I am waiting patiently for my wound to get well. I cannot ride, or cant walk very far…Rosecrans writes to me [his is] in good spirits & we will have good news from the West in spite of the crackers. Matters look badly in the East. The Army of the Potomac is fated to all appearances. But I never have despaired…there seems to be no silver lining to the dark cloud. I nevertheless believe that the same Providence that made us a Nation will bring us out of the fire principled & emboldened. I saw in the papers that Gov'r. Seymour intended or had already applied for you as Adjt. Genl. for the State…your friends would [??] the acceptance of such office…General Scott is ill. By neglecting to attend to the call of nature [of] his bladder, became so distended that for some days he has been unable to pass water except by medical means. At this time of life you may readily imagine that this is no light matter & I think his days are numbered. [Gen. Robert] Anderson & I went to see him yesterday. Send me your Texas pamphlet. My cousin, Rev'd. Dr. McLeod spoke to me of your address on that subject in high terms…remember me kindly to Mrs. [Mary Worth] Sprague [daughter of General William J. Sprague, died 1849] & the young ladies. I saw [1st Lt. William Scott] Worth [8th U. S. Infantry]. I trust you will soon take the field. Your inclinations must certainly tend that way. Never since his death has the nation been called to mourn Gen'l. [William Jenkins] Worth…Sincerely your friend always, S. W. Crawford." Minor toning, negligible tape stains, else VG.
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