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Rep. Arnold asks 1861 Brig Gen Appt for Mulligan In 1861, Congressman Isaac N. Arnold Writes to Pres

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Rep. Arnold asks 1861 Brig Gen Appt for Mulligan In 1861, Congressman Isaac N. Arnold Writes to Pres
<B>In 1861, Congressman Isaac N. Arnold Writes to President Lincoln Requesting a Brigadier Generalship for Col. James A. Mulligan which he received, posthumously, in 1864 after he was killed at the Battle of Winchester.</B></I> Comprises: <B>(1)</B></I> Retained copy of letter sent by Isaac N. Arnold to President Abraham Lincoln, 2p, 7.5" x 9.75". Chicago, Ills, November 11, 1861. In part: <I>"Col. James A. Mulligan, who so gallantly defended Lexington, has returned, and has every where been received with the greatest enthusiasm. He proposes to immediately fill up the regiment called the Irish Brigade, and return to the field...He is brave, modest, rapid in his decisions, cool, hardy, and with very great power over his men. Indeed he has a most wonderful magnetic power over his soldiers. He drinks no wine- he is a water drinker. In a word, he is admirably adapted to command. if he lives a brilliant career is before him. Personally- he is, altho young, fit for a Brigadier General. There are strong considerations of a politic nature, why, in my judgment his appointment would be one fit to be made, and why it should be made promptly. It would be regarded as a compliment by our Irish fellow Citizens, and one which by their patriotism they merit...He does not desire to be assigned a command but would prefer to raise his Brigade. I earnestly request his immediate promotion to a Brigadier General's commission. I shall regard his appointment as a personal favor...."</B></I> Soiled and stained at edges, else in fine condition. <B>(2)</B></I> ALS: <I>"I. N. Arnold",</B></I> 1p, 7.75" x 10". Washington, December 7,1861. To Col. James A. Mulligan. In full: <I>"I have presented the petition of which the enclosed is a copy & personally urged your appt as Brigadier General by the President. He replied speaking in very high terms of your services that it was a question of time, only, & that- the only difficulty was that so many had lately been appointed. I have reason to hope I shall secure your Appt. Please give my best regards to Mrs Mulligan."</B></I> Slight tears and browning at blank left margin. Fine condition.<BR><BR> Republican Isaac N. Arnold represented Illinois in Congress from 1861-1865. He had been a friend of Lincoln's since their days as lawyers in Illinois in the 1850's. On December 20, 1861, Arnold introduced a joint resolution (H. Res. 23) giving the thanks of Congress to Colonel James A. Mulligan and the officers and men under his command for their heroic defence at Lexington, Missouri. On December 12, 1864, President Lincoln appointed, to be Brigadier General by Brevet "Colonel James A. Mulligan, of the Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers, July 23, 1864, for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Winchester, Virginia". Sadly, Colonel James A. Mulligan was killed at the Battle of Winchester on July 26, 1864, and this was a posthumous appointment. The Senate consented to this appointment on February 20, 1865. On May 29, 1868, the following bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives: "An Act For the relief of the widow and children of Colonel James A. Mulligan, deceased. Whereas James A. Mulligan on the fifteenth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, was mustered into the service of the United States as colonel of the twenty-third Illinois infantry, known as the Irish brigade, marched to the front in July, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and from that time, (excepting two months when a prisoner of war,) was actively engaged in the military service of the republic against armed rebels until he fell on the battle-field of Winchester, the twenty-sixth day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-four; and whereas during two years of that military service he was assigned to the command of brigades and divisions, and performed the duties of brigadier and major general, but only received the pay of a colonel; and whereas the widow and children of the said Colonel James A. Mulligan are justly entitled to, and need for their support, the amount of pay which he would have received if he had been commissioned according to his respective commands in the field." The bill asked for $5000 to be paid to Marian Mulligan, Colonel Mulligan's widow. It was passed by the Senate and signed by President Andrew Johnson on July 6, 1868.