Union general and secretary of war under Grant (1829-1890). Inadvertently, Belknap almost saved Custer from his fate at Little Bighorn, when Custer became embroiled in the scandal that resulted in Belknap's impeachment and Grant's censure of Custer. ALS signed “Wm. W. Belknap,” one page, 5 x 8, January 12, 1888. Letter to W. D. Williams, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson. In part: "The best mention I can make of the War, will be to quote a verse from one of America's poets & philosophers. 'The man who has a thousand friends, / Has not a friend to spare: / While he, who has one enemy, / Will meet him, everywhere.'" In fine condition.
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