August 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, August 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2019
Clara Barton autograph letter signed regarding her work to identify missing soldiers from the Civil War, with content on the vast amount of mail she received from families, and also the likelihood of identifying U.S. Colored Troops. Barton took on the responsibility of identifying missing soldiers after thousands of families wrote to her, asking if she had seen a soldier pass through one of her hospitals during the Civil War. Following the war, through her Office of Missing Soldiers, Barton and her staff were able to identify over 22,000 men.
Letter to General Benjamin F. Butler (Barton's close ally) is datelined Washington, DC on 3 October 1865, reading in part, ''General...nearly every Govt Department here, already refers to me the letters of inquiry for Missing men, which they are unable to answer satisfactorily themselves. General Muzzy [the President's military secretary] refers to me those of President Johnson. The Adjutant-Generals of each state send monthly reports to me and also compare my rolls with theirs and forward the results, and this at their own instance, as I would never have presumed to suggest it to them. I might have shown you packed in boxes upon my table 3,500 letters yet in the envelopes, which I dare not call the clerical force to answer lest I fail to meet their bills, and in the room opposite 17,000 printed rolls which for the same reason I cannot put in circulation...
I have considered diligently your suggestion in relation to the Colored Troops, and truly believe that with suitable agents, this search can be made nearly as successful as that for the white soldiers and with such advices and suggestions as you might from time to time offer, or such direction as you would be pleased to assume, I should be most happy to undertake it...Clara Barton''. Two page letter on two sheets measures 8'' x 10'' on stationery from the ''Office of Correspondence with the Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army'', with docketing from Butler's office on verso. Quarter-inch separations starting at the folds, and tape remnants on verso. Overall very good condition. With full transcription.
Clara Barton Autograph Letter Signed Regarding Missing Black Soldiers -- ''...in relation to the Colored Troops...this search can be made nearly as successful as that for the white soldiers...''
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