2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
MADILL, HENRY J. (1829-1899) Union major in the 6th Penn. Reserves who was promoted colonel of the 141st Penn. Vols. and who practically broke down after seeing his regiment decimated during the battle of Gettysburg. By the end of the war he was promoted brevet brigadier general, but not after being severely wounded during the fall of Petersburg on April 2, 1865. A rare war-date Union major's letter written by Major Henry J. Madill, 35th Penn. Vols.,(6th Penn. Reserves), 4p. octavo, Camp of 6 Reg. near Falmouth, Virginia, May 11, 1862, with free ranked cover, and reads in part: "…I was relieved of the command of the Regiment last evening. The Commissions of the Col.[William Sinclair] and [Lt. Col. Henry B.] McKean having been forwarded. There is a pretty good prospect of the war being brought to a close pretty soon. This evening [the rebels] have evacuated Yorktown, have been beaten at Williamsburg, their retreat is being cut off by Burnside, McClellan, Banks, Fremont & McDowell which disposes of their army in Virginia, the finest army they have in the field - they are also closely pursued in the west by Wallace & Mitchell, if not entirely surrounded and their retreat cut off - the fall of New Orleans is a death blow to the rebellion. I think it will be finished before the first of July - It certainly will be suicide in surrounding and capturing Beauregard's Army of which I think there is no doubt. I suppose that McDowell's advance to Fredericksburg was to threaten Richmond and to cooperate with Banks & Fremont in cutting off the retreat of the Rebels, in case of the evacuation of Yorktown, or its capture by McClelland. I shall push through my resignation as fast as possible. I hope to be able to be home soon and fix up matters…" Fine.
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