Lengthy autograph endorsement, signed "U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen.," penned on the reverse of a letter sent to him by Maine Senator Lot M. Morrill, one page, 7.75 x 9.75, January 16, 1866. Grant's response, in full: "Gen. Chamberlain having been disabled by wounds received in service from prossecuting his duties in civil life, his muster out with the first batch of Generals was contrary to the rule then established. I would new respectfully recommend that the order in his case be revoked and the muster out be made to take effect from the 15th of Jan'y 1866. I understand Gen. Chamberlain has yet to undergo a severe surgical opperation before he can possibly recover from the wound received in 1864." An endorsement from Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton is penned on the same leaf: "Approved & Referred to the Adjutant General, E. M. Stanton, Jany 16, 1866." The Morrill side of the letter is also signed by five other members of Maine's Congressional delegation, including: William P. Fessenden, John Lynch, and Frederick A. Pike. In very good to fine condition, with an area of old adhesive residue, several horizontal folds, and a wrinkled fold passing through the signature.
Famed Civil War officer Joshua Chamberlain had been severely wounded while commanding a brigade during the Second Battle of Petersburg in June 1864. Chamberlain was not expected to survive, and Lt. Gen. Grant gave him what he believed to be a ‘deathbed’ promotion to the rank of brigadier general. Chamberlain miraculously pulled through, and returned to his command by November. Following the war, Chamberlain was finally able to get his wounds appropriately tended to, and he went on to have an accomplished postwar career as governor of Maine and president of Bowdoin College. A remarkable letter associating two legends of the Civl War.
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