March 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, March 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2020
Autograph draft letter signed by Major General William B. Franklin, just days after the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg where Franklin commanded the Left Grand Division. Franklin here follows-up to a previous letter sent by him to Lincoln (see lots 11 and 135), in which he proposed assaulting Richmond via the James River, a strategy already attempted during the Peninsula Campaign. Franklin defends his strategy with more detail here, writing that the state of the Army is now considerably better in late 1862 that it was earlier in the year.
Dated 26 December 1862, Franklin addresses, ''To the President'', and handwrites Left Grand Division headquarters as the location at top. Letter reads in full, I respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22 inst. In arguing the propriety of a campaign on the James River, we supposed Washington to be garrisoned sufficiently and the Potomac impassable except by bridges. The fortification of Harper's Ferry is another important requisite. These matters were considered as of course, and did not enter into our discussions of the two plans of Campaign.
I presume that you are right in supposing that I advised the withdrawal of the Army from James River in July last. I think that under the same circumstances I would give the same advice. The Army was debilitated by what it had already gone through, was in an unhealthy position, it's sick list was enormous, and there was a prospect that we would have two worst months August & September. The effect of this would have been to ruin the Army in health. Circumstances are very different now. The Army is in good health, and the best months of the year are before us. / WBF.'' Single page letter measures 8'' x 9.75'', accompanied by envelope with handwritten note by Franklin, ''Correspondence with the President of the United States. / December, 1862''. Archival repair on verso along folds, with small hole at top fold. Overall very good condition.
General William Franklin Autograph Draft Letter Signed to President Abraham Lincoln -- Franklin Expounds Upon His Plan to Capture Richmond After the Disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg
Click above for larger image.