Union general (1819–1893), controversially credited with the invention of modern baseball, who was also the Union general who in 1863, as major general of volunteers, he commanded a division at Gettysburg, taking the high ground, leading 9,500 men against ten Confederate brigades that numbered more than 16,000. The high ground he held became decisive in winning the Battle of Gettysburg. Superb content war-dated ALS signed “A. Doubleday,” four pages, on two adjoining lightly-lined sheets, 5.25 x 8, August 16, 1861. Letter to Charles Nordhoff. In part: “Although the President has not yet thought proper to appoint me a Brigadier General I am none the less grateful to the kind friends who have exerted themselves in my behalf. Among these there is none to whom I am under greater obligations than yourself…I can only claim…and ardent desire to be useful in the present crisis. If ours is not a just cause there never was one. I do not think however we go quite far enough. The whole root of the difficulty lies in slavery and we are still very timid and apologetic in relation to that. I fear when the war is over and our triumph secured the same old questions will arise like Banquo’s Ghost to disturb our feast of victory.
We are altogether too lenient in my opinion; so much so, as hardly to make a distinction between the true man and the false. Washington swarms with families whose relatives hold office in Richmond…The Departments are full of nominal Union men who perhaps are willing to take the oath but who are cold friends to the cause. I think they betray the secrets of the Departments to others who forward them to Richmond. I have good reason to know there is a daily mail from Manassas in spite of all our precautions. Persons in my immediate vicinity receive constant intelligence from some source.
It seems to me there is a limit of free speech when it becomes treasonable. If there is no law to punish men and women who openly express their sympathy with the rebels and their desire to see them succeed there ought to be one. I must confess I am in favor of a strong policy under present circumstances & would like to see martial law proclaimed both at Washington & Baltimore. I have been detained by an accidental wound in the leg. It is nearly healed and I shall leave in a day or two for Genl. Banks column.”
In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, slight brush to signature, partial separation along hinge, uniform mild toning, and a couple areas of light staining, none affecting legibility.
Doubleday emphatically—and eloquently—outlines his personal beliefs, and those supported by Union forces, in this letter. “The whole root of the difficulty lies in slavery and we are still very timid and apologetic,” he declares, expressing his contention that even victorious, the issue would continue to plague America. “I fear when the war is over and our triumph secured the same old questions will arise.” The general further criticizes those not fully dedicated to the reunification of the United States—those “nominal Union men” whom he suspects “betray the secrets of the Departments to others.” He goes on to endorse victory at all cost, with no sympathy for those who do not share the sentiment. “If there is no law to punish men and women who openly express their sympathy with the rebels and their desire to see them succeed there ought to be one,” he bluntly states. Without question, this is a determined piece of correspondence clearly revealing Doubleday’s passion for saving the Union and eliminating the tyranny of slavery. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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