LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30266

Union Amr Andrew H Foote Civil War-Dated ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Union Amr Andrew H Foote Civil War-Dated ALS
<B>Union Admiral Andrew Hull Foote Civil War-Dated Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>A. H. Foote</B></I>". One and a half pages, 5" x 8", mounted to a larger 9.75" x 13.75" piece of paper by tape along the left edge, short typed biography of Foote at the top of this larger paper, New Haven, Connecticut, September 8, 1862, to a member of the Portland Mercantile Library Association, ink. The document reads, in full: "<I>New Haven Sept. 8/62 My dear Sir, On my return from Washington a few days since I received your kind note of invitation to deliver a lecture before the 'Mercantile Library Association' of the City of Portland. My official duties in the present crisis of our country are so pressing; and having offered my services to the government although not yet being able to lay aside my crutches, are reasons which, as you will perceive imperatively require me to decline your invitation. Please present my thanks to the Committee for this compliment, and believe me Very Respectfully & Truly Yours A. H. Foote</B></I>" Below, Admiral Foote has written the name of the person, presumably, to whom he is writing, "<I>Jno Q. Whitehall or Mitchell Esq</B></I>". Admiral Foote served faithfully in the United States Navy at the beginning of the Civil War, commanding naval operations in the upper Mississippi River region. He helped the Union earn victories at Forts Henry and Donelson and Island No. 10. Foote was wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson, and it's these wounds he speaks of in his letter here. During the fall of 1862, Foote was recovering from war wounds, and would soon attempt to re-enter the Union cause before dying suddenly in June of 1863, less than ten months after this letter was written, from Bright's disease. The letter is in very good condition, with mild paper loss at the top left corner, mild toning, and minimal wrinkling at the bottom left edge. Also, the tape used on the left edge to adhere the document to its background is permanent. Still, a fascinating and rare war-dated Union naval letter from one of its greatest seamen, in which he calls the War Between the States "<I>the present crisis of our Country</B></I>".<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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