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General James Clay Rice Letter Signed General James Clay Rice Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
General James Clay Rice Letter Signed  General James Clay Rice Letter Signed
<B> General James Clay Rice Letter Signed </B></I> "<I>J.C. Rice Brig. Genl.</B></I>" One page, 7.75" x 9.75", np, nd (However, Rice was only Brigadier General for 9 months, between August of 1863, and his death in May, 1864.) The letter was written to Governor Horatio Seymour of New York, recommending Baldwin Cann for a commission; he was commissioned later as Lieutenant in the 4th New York Cavalry. At the start of the Civil War, Rice, who was practicing law in New York, was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 44th New York, and led that regiment through the Peninsular Campaign. He is best known for his heroics at Gettysburg, where he assumed command of a brigade after the death of Strong Vincent. His small band of four regiments are largely considered responsible for the Union's victory that day. He was promoted to Brigadier General, and assigned permanent command of a brigade in Cutler's Division of the I Corps. At Spotsylvania, on May 10, 1864, his thigh was shattered by a rifle ball, necessitating the amputation of his leg. He died shortly after this. When the surgeon asked him on which side he would rest more comfortably, he replied, "<I> Turn my face to the enemy.</B></I>" <BR><BR> The letter is in very fine condition; usual folds are present; one fold has been archivally strengthened, docketing on verso.