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O(rville) E. Babcock.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:50.00 - 70.00 USD
O(rville) E. Babcock.
Of Vt. Union Brig. Gen. and engineer, overseeing construction of defenses around Washington, grappling with widespread fears that the Confederates would attack the seat of power. Aide-de-camp to Grant at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and siege of Petersburg. Babcock delivered Grant's demand for surrender to Lee, and escorted Lee to Appomattox Court House, which had been selected for the occasion by Babcock. As postwar private secretary to Grant, embroiled in scandal, indicted in the Whiskey Ring, involving forged revenue stamps on bottles, and implicated in a plot to corner the gold market in 1869. Signature with "Secty." in his hand, in close of letter to Vice Pres. Schuyler Colfax, this in clerical hand in purple. Masthead of letter mounted on verso of card, "Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C., Mch. 17, 1871." Toning of mount, else very fine and attractive.