2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
OGLESBY, Richard James (1824-1899) was an American soldier and Republican politician from Illinois. He served in the United States Army during the Mexican-American War of 1846-47, and after the war became a prospector during the California Gold Rush and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly. During the American Civil War, Oglesby volunteered for the Union Army and rose to the rank of major general, serving in the Western Theater; he left the army when he was elected Governor of Illinois in 1864, and would serve three non-consecutive terms in that office (from 1865 to 1869, for ten days in 1873, and from 1885 to 1889). He also served as a United States Senator from Illinois from 1873 to 1879. Typed Letter Signed "R.J. Oglesby" as Governor of Illinois, 1pp. quarto on Executive Office stationary, December 23, 1887, and reads in part: "...I return you the newspaper clipping with the remark that it is a tolerably correct account of the first interview between General Grant and myself at Cairo, and is as nearly correct as most of them are. It does not however, state the ease as it occurred. Since however it is only to perpetuate an anecdote of the war. I let it go as I do the others, to find its way through the fun-loving world. I have on several occasions given a correct statement of what occurred between us, but it seems to make no difference, as everyone who cares to relate the matter adopt his own forms and methods, and provides his own expression to suit the case. Neither you or I will ever be able to prevent this..." Fine condition.
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