Autograph Letter Signed.
Perhaps a War of 1812 veteran... perhaps an attorney... perhaps a bureaucrat -- perhaps all of the above! ALS, 2pp, 8" X 10", Rutland, VT, 1818 May 16. Addressed to Robert Brent, Pay Master General of the U.S. Army. Very good. Mild age toning. Good content appeal on behalf of the wife of a War of 1812 substitute soldier who died in battle. Reads in part: "There are in this vicinity two or three instances where persons served in the detached militia from this state in 1812 as substitutes, whose names do not appear on the roll, they having answered to the names of those who were drafted. These persons died in the service leaving widows... the widows claims for 5 years half pay is admissable as making proof of their services.... permit me to remark in their behalf... it would be extremely unjust to exclude a claim merely because the officer should improperly suffer the name of the drafted man to remain upon the roll...." Very interesting discussion of the dilemma of widows of substitute soldiers. Item #22708
Price: $75.00