LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865).
Autograph endorsement, signed ("A. Lincoln"), to Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, Washington, D.C., 22 January 1863.
1 p.; 10 x 8 in (254 x 203 mm); creasing from old folds, repairs along same; docketing above Lincoln's inscription; additional inscription below Lincoln's hand, "Respectfully forwarded to the Secty of War, J.B.S. Trud Del for Oak Twp".
LINCOLN INTERVENES ON BEHALF OF TWO BOYS WHO RAN AWAY TO JOIN THE UNION ARMY.
Endorsed by Lincoln on verso of a letter from Illinois Governor and Lincoln's friend and ally, Richard Yates (that letter, addressed to Edwin Stanton, and dated 12 January 1863). In full: "The families to which these boys belong are among my old acquaintances A. Lincoln Jan. 22, 1863."
Yates's letter on recto (in a secretarial and signed by him) reads in full: "Thomas E Clark and Jonathan C Bergen of Petersburgh in this State respectively 17 and 16 years of age left home some time during the last month without the consent of their parents and joined the 2nd Reg’t U.S Cavalry stationed at Carlyle Barrack Pa. Messrs Clark & Bergen are both respectable & loyal citizens and you will oblige me by discharging these boys the service of the United States..." Basler, First Supplement p. 175.
Provenance:
Elsie O. and Philip D. Sang; previously sold, their sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 8 November 1978, lot 484
Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California
Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation
