ALS signed “McClellan,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, Office of the Illinois Central Railroad Company letterhead, October 26, 1858. Handwritten letter to Major Alexander Hamilton Bowman, in full: "I had occasion today to write to the Secty of the Treasury in relation to difficulties arising in shipment of Govt coin over our road—may I ask you to take the trouble to tell the Secty who I am that he may devote a moment to the matter, instead of leaving it to a clerk. Our road is looking up again—we are out of the woods & will remain so. g. W. is looking much better. Hoping to see you this winter." McClellan adds a postscript: "Why don't you let me know when you pass through Chicago—my house is 54 Michigan Avenue—where you will always find a bed & a plate—not to mention a glass." In fine condition. In early 1857, McClellan became chief engineer and vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad, and then president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad three years later in 1860. He performed well in both jobs, expanding the Illinois Central toward New Orleans and helping the Ohio and Mississippi recover from the Panic of 1857.
Alexander Hamilton Bowman (1803-1865) was an engineer, military educator, and career officer in the United States Army. Bowman supervised the erection of Charleston Harbor defenses, including Fort Sumter, and served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, during the American Civil War.
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