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DAVID BELL BIRNEY: (1825 - 1864) Union major general who replaced Phil Kearny, he fought at Frede...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
DAVID BELL BIRNEY: (1825 - 1864) Union major general who replaced Phil Kearny, he fought at Frede...
DAVID BELL BIRNEY: (1825 - 1864) Union major general who replaced Phil Kearny, he fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. In October, 1864 Birney succumbed to malaria, dying at his home. Scarce, good content war-date A.L.S. 4pp. 4to., "Camp", Mar. 26, 1864 to Gen. Daniel Sickles whose command he assumed when Sickles was wounded at Gettysburg. Largely concerning morale issues concerning the reorganization of the II & III Corps in early 1864, in part: "...I had a depuration to day from the 3rd. Division, French troops, and they expressed the deepest sorrow and mortification at the change. The feeling in there too old...I am forced favor a [?] of duty to depurate[?] any open expression. I did all that I could with Hancock, saved your old Brigade in the reorganization. I am very much grateful with your attention to my [?] in the matter of my considerations, and can only assure [you] of my affection of it, & trust that it will some day be in my favor to show you as fully as you have to me, my regard for you. I have not seen the order relieving Pleasanton. I feel sure that it is so. I send you a note that you can take with the {?] I sent you yesterday as to [?]. I will of course be fully respectable. I do not wish to offer by a card in the paper but I have not the slightest objection to being held both personally and officially responsible for that statement. I you wish anything more, say so. We must work for the revival of the old Corps. I assume that you will have the hearty cooperation of every one in the Corps. Through the 'Union' I am getting a history of regiment, brigade and Division and will do all that is possible to keep up the feeling. It has given a great [?] to the 'Union,' and if you [?] have publicized a letter from yourself accepting the Presidency holding; and hopes of a revival, or [?], it would do good. Culter can give you the news as to the reception of the order. In your Speech at Harrisburg, remember us Pennsylvanians, you knew that I have the 57, 63, 68, 99, 105, 110, 114, 141 Penn. besides the 115 and 26 in 2nd. Division...Is De Trobriand confirmed? I am afraid that I have lost him, Alex Hayes has been assigned to my Second Brigade, and I am reduced to two Brigades...We hear nothing of Grant and this order & new state of things has dampened the order and enthusiasm of the greeting that would have met him...". With a short docket in the hand of Sickles on the verso adding the note "Barnes & his Div. July 2 '63". Usual folds, a few minor spots, otherwise near fine condition. $500-700