Apr 21, 2011 - Sale 2244

Sale 2244 - Lot 8

Price Realized: $ 570
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(CIVIL WAR.) MCCLELLAN, GEORGE B. Autograph Letter Signed, "GeoBMcClellan," to General F.A. Walker ("My Dear Sir"), correcting an erroneous statement by the Comte de Paris concerning the Battle of South Mountain. With a postscript additionally signed "McC," requesting the results of Walker's investigation. 3 1/2 pages, 8vo, written on a single folded sheet, the second and third pages writen vertically, minor even toning on terminal page. "32 Wash. Square N.Y.," 21 May [18]84

Additional Details

". . . My report shows that at 8:45 pm of the 13th, the 2d corps was ordered to move at 7 am on the 14th by the direct road to Middletown, following Sykes at an hour's interval. Hooker did not move as promptly as ordered, and this delayed Sykes at Sumner. Therefore at 9 am I ordered Sumner to take the more circuitous road by Shookstown, that his march might be free from encumbrance. The 2d corps made its march and arrived on the field as rapidly as circumstances permitted. . . .
"I can imagine the 2d corps and its brave old commander slow in getting out of a fight, but they certainly never showed any hesitation or tardiness in getting into battle. . . .
"You may rest assured that no member of the 2d corps has its honor more at heart, or is more proud of its uniformly admirable conduct, whether on the march or in battle, than is the commander under whom it first served. In my account of Antietam I will take care to correct the error of the Comte."
Published in McClellan, McClellan's Own Story, ch. XXXV, n.