Apr 17, 2012 - Sale 2276

Sale 2276 - Lot 321

Price Realized: $ 1,320
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 2,000
"WE MAY AS WELL REVERSE THE VERDICT . . . ON THE CASE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD" GARFIELD, JAMES A. Letter Signed, "J.A.Garfield," as Representative, to Williams College classmate David M. Evans, acknowledging receipt of his letter and accompanying newspaper article concerning the Fitz-John Porter case, and expressing his disapproval of the possibility of overturning the court martial by comparing the case to that of Benedict Arnold. 1 page, 8vo, ruled paper, "House of Representatives" stationery; folds. With the original envelope. (AKF) Washington, 19 January 1880

Additional Details

". . . If the action of the Court Martial of 1863 can now be overturned--the criminal exalted and the court convicted, we may as well reverse the verdict of America on the case of Benedict Arnold. . . ."
Fitz-John Porter was court-martialed soon after his alleged insubordination during the Second Battle of Bull Run. General John M. Schofield's Army board recommended in 1879 that the case be re-opened and, after years of debate between Democratic and Republican factions of Congress, President Grover Cleveland signed legislation restoring his honor in 1886.