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440

Henry W. Halleck

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Henry W. Halleck

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Auction Date:2012 Oct 17 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Union general (1815–1872), known as ‘Old Brains,’ who, despite his administrative skill as general in chief, failed to achieve an overall battle strategy for Union forces. Lincoln once described him as ‘little more than a first rate clerk.’ War-dated LS signed “H. W. Halleck, Genl in Chief,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, December 23, 1863. Letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. In full: “In compliance with your instructions I submit the following summary of Major General Schofield's military services during the present war.

Being on duty as mustering officer in St Louis at the beginning of the rebellion, he was elected Major of the 1st Missouri Volunteer Artillery and served with that regiment. He also acted as General Lyon's Chief of Staff during his campaign in 1861, was in the battle of Dug Spring, August 2d. 1861, of Curran's Post office, August 3rd, 1861, of Wilson's Creek or Springfield, August 10th 1861. After General Lyon's death in the last battle, and until Major Sturgis assumed command Major Schofield directed the operations on the field. At the battle of Fredericksburg Mo. Octbr 21, 1861, he commanded the artillery, and, a portion of the day, a brigade.

After his appointment of Brigadier General of Volunteers and of Missouri Militia, in November 1861, he was assigned to the duty of organizing the State forces, and putting them into the field, —a most difficult and arduous service, in which he exhibited great tact and ability. With a part of these troops and a volunteer force, he broke up and scattered the guerrilla bands which infested the north eastern counties of Missouri, and were destroying the railroad and telegraph lines. In the early part of 1862 he commanded the District of St Louis and afterwards the district of Missouri. From September 1862 to April 1863 he commanded the army on the frontier and defeated the enemy at Newtonia, Octbr 10, at Huntsville, Octbr 22d, at Maysville, Oct 23d, and at Fayetteville, Oct. 28th, and finally drove the rebels across the Barton Mountains.

After commanding the 3d Division of the 14th Army Corps, in the Department of the Cumberland, for a short time in the spring of 1863, he was placed by the President in command of the Department of the Missouri, in which he has rendered most valuable service in organizing troops and putting them into the field, and in breaking up and destroying guerrilla bands. When General Grant was before Vicksburg, General Schofield sent him all the available forces he could collect in his Department. After the surrender of that place, he sent General Davidson to unite with General Steel and make a campaign in Arkansas, by which Little Rock and the whole line of the Arkansas River were captured and occupied by our troops. A considerable portion of the State of Arkansas south of that river was also brought within our control.

Although the military operations in General Schofield's Department have been in a great measure, subordinate to the operations of other armies, they have been conducted with skill and ability, and have already produced important results. If his plans are fully carried out, they will secure for us the control of the whole country north of Red River.”

Bottom of last page is docketed in Stanton’s hand, “Respectfully referred to the President. Edwin M. Stanton, Sec of War, Statement of Service of General Schofield.” Intersecting folds, light fading and feathering to signature and final page of text, mounting remnants along both sides of hinge, some approaching signature, and scattered toning, otherwise very good condition.

The factious state of Missouri was a constant thorn in President Lincoln’s side. On top of the volatile division between active Union and Confederate supporters, there was intense conflict within the Union constituency between abolitionists and steadfast slaveholders. Though the Emancipation Proclamation, issued in January of 1863, did not apply to border states, it did escalate the tension between these factions. In an attempt to keep the peace, Lincoln and Stanton constantly shifted men from one position to another, into and out of Missouri. As Schofield’s conservative views began to anger Republican Radicals, the president and his secretary of war planned their next move. When Stanton requested this report of Schofield’s service from Henry Halleck, plans were already set in motion to remove the commander from Missouri; Stanton and Lincoln had made arrangements five days prior, deciding that Schofield would be relieved of his current position and promoted to Major General in the service of William T. Sherman. Command in Missouri would be given to the moderate William Rosencrans, which would hopefully appease both factions of the Union members. This comprehensive account of an important general’s service is one piece of the difficult and crucial puzzle of Missouri politics.
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