March 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, March 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2020
Important Civil War letter signed by President Abraham Lincoln, exactly one week after the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg that left Lincoln in ''a worse place than hell'' upon hearing the results of the ''butchery'' of Union forces. The hope of taking the Confederacy's capital of Richmond had been stymied yet again, and criticism of Lincoln's handling of the war reached such a pitch that there was even serious consideration of removing him as Commander-in-Chief. In this letter, written to Major Generals William B. Franklin and William F. Smith, Lincoln responds to another possible plan of how to approach the city, presented by the Generals (see lot 135 for Franklin and Smith's plan). General Franklin, in particular, was likely trying to fix the problem of capturing Richmond, as his command of the Left Grand Division during the Battle of Fredericksburg had been criticized in some quarters; Lincoln, however, views this new plan with skepticism and even issues a mild rebuke at the end of the letter, for what seems to be an inconsistency in Franklin's recommended strategy.
On Executive Mansion letterhead, Lincoln responds confidently to the Generals, displaying his knowledge of military strength and logistics, in full, ''Yours of the 20th suggesting a plan of operations for the Army of the Potomac is received. I have hastily read the plan, and shall yet try to give it more deliberate consideration, with the aid of military men. Meanwhile let me say it seems to me to present the old questions of preference between the line of the Peninsula, and the line you are now upon. The difficulties you point out pertaining to the Fredericksburg line are obvious and palpable. But now, as heretofore, if you go to James River, a large part of the army must remain on or near the Fredericksburg line, to protect Washington. It is the old difficulty.
When I saw Gen. Franklin at Harrison's Landing on James River last July, I can not be mistaken in saying that he distinctly advised the bringing of the Army away from there. / Yours very truly, A. Lincoln''.
Lincoln's understanding of Richmond's difficulty was confirmed by history - it wouldn't be until early April 1865, just days before Lee's surrender, that the city was ultimately captured by siege, rather than direct assault, by cutting its supply lines. Single page letter is written in the hand of Lincoln's secretary John G. Nicolay, boldly signed by Lincoln at the conclusion. On bifolium stationery measuring 7.875'' x 9.875''. Fold lines, else near fine condition.
Abraham Lincoln Letter Signed to His General After the Disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg on Taking Richmond: ''...the army must remain on or near the Fredericksburg line, to protect Washington...''
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