Union general (1819-1893) who commanded a division at Gettysburg and has controversially been credited with the invention of baseball. ALS signed “A. Doubleday, Maj. Genl. U.S.,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, July 20, 1865. Handwritten letter to Major General Philip Sheridan, in full: “My brother Brevet Brig. Genl. U. Doubleday Comg 2d Brig. 2d Div. 25 Corps is stationed at Brazos Santiago under your command. If you will have any use for a good Spanish scholar you will find that he speaks and writes the language perfectly. He also speaks French and German and is a superior English scholar. In Florida he was Chief of Artillery & Chief Engineer. He is young, active and industrious and had always been regarded as a man of very superior scholarly attainments. Every general under whom he has served has given him the very highest recommendations for efficiency and gallantry in battle. I have no desire to puff him, but as you may need a man of this character in some future Mexican complication I thought I would mention the subject to you. He has been in Mexico on the Texan border before the war and consequently is well acquainted with their manners & customs. Mrs. D. sends her kind regards, and best wishes for your future success.” Doubleday adds initials, “A.D.,” to a postscript: “I am glad that you detected and exposed the man who attempted to appropriate your Five Forks to his own use.” In fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
