LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74318

Union Colonel Samuel K. Zook ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Union Colonel Samuel K. Zook ALS
<B>Union Colonel Samuel K. Zook Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> “<I>S. K. Zook</B></I>”. Two pages, 7.75” x 10”, Camp California near Alexandria, Virginia , February 20, 1862, in ink, to Dr. Samuel Oakley Van der Poel, Surgeon General of New York. In this letter, Samuel Kosciuszko Zook (1821-63), a colonel at the time, convinces Dr. Van der Poel to promote Dr. Robert V. McKim from assistant surgeon to surgeon. It is apparent that Dr. Van der Poel was hesitant to promote McKim due to his youth (22 years old). It reads in part: “<I>Sir: I have before me your letter to Dr. Merrill dated January 31st in which you said at that time 'I cannot as yet promote Dr. McKim' and assigned amongst other reasons his recent graduation & the fear of imposing upon him too great a responsibility…I am glad to find by your letter to me of February 11th that you have changed your views and are now more favorably disposed towards McKim.</B></I>” Zook writes that McKim enjoys the respect of the regiment and begs Dr. Van der Poel to hasten the promotion as “<I>We need our full medical staff even as we are & much more if we move forward. Yesterday a division of the Rebels advanced to Fairfax station six miles this side of Centreville.</B></I>” Zook's regiment was stationed at Camp California just a short distance from Alexandria. Zook was soon to see his first combat at the Seven Days Battle and had his horse shot out from under him at Fredericksburg. It was his action at Fredericksburg that got him promoted to brigadier general. On July 2, 1862, Zook was mortally wounded during the Gettysburg battle and died the next day. This is a legible letter in bold hand, in fine condition.<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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