Career Army officer (1786–1866) who commanded forces in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, the Mexican–American War, the Second Seminole War, and the Civil War. ALS, one page both sides, 5 x 8, April 9, 1862. Handwritten letter to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, recommending an old Army comrade for promotion. In part: "I beg to present to you Col. Harvey Brown, one of the most distinguished veterans of the army & whose last gallant achievement, at Ft. Pickens, seems to merit a special reward, like all his other services on whatever field. Col. B. has bad fortune in respect to promotion which, I trust, the War Department may now be able to correct." In very good to fine condition, with clear tape repairs to two fold separations.
A lifelong soldier, Harvey Brown had served in the Seminole Wars in Florida and under Scott's command during the Mexican-American War. Charged with the command of the expedition to hold Fort Pickens in Confederate-held Florida, Brown successfully repulsed an attempt by the enemy to capture the fortress during November 22–23, 1861. On April 25, 1862—mere days after Scott's recommendation—President Abraham Lincoln nominated Brown for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general in the regular army, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment soon thereafter. Brown would go on to take command of the defenses at New York City, and was later brevetted major general for his role in suppressing the Draft Riots there.
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