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LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, PRESIDENT. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("A. LINCOLN") AS PRESIDENT, TO SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War, Executive Mansion, [Washington, D.C.], 13 June 1861. One page, 8vo, integral blank, "Executive Mansion" in Lincoln's hand at top.
LINCOLN REINSTATES A DISTINGUISHED VETERAN OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER WARS
An interesting letter regarding the case of a seasoned officer and "Indian-fighter," Lt. Col. William Helmsley Emory, who had evidently resigned his commission due to questions concerning his loyalty to the Federal government. Lincoln orders his reinstatement: "Owing to the peculiar circumstances of Col. W. H. Emory's case, and especially because of the Commanding General's written statement that he is perfectly satisfied of Col. Emory's loyalty to the Government, and that he deems it important that Col. Emory should be restored to the service, especially if it can be done, to his position of Colonel 1st Cavalry. I direct that Col. W. H. Emory be allowed to withdraw what purports to be his resignation, and that he join his Regiment...."
William Helmsley Emory (1811-1887) was a native of Maryland, a border state; many officers from there were regarded with undue suspicion in the early days of the war. Emory, though, had already enjoyed a brilliant career: after serving in the army for some years, he resigned, studied civil engineering, was recommissioned as a Engineer, designed harbor fortifications, and was brevetted for a border survey. Then , he fought Indians with Kearny's California Expedition (where he was twice more brevetted), served in "Bleeding Kansas," and completed a Utah survey. In January 1861, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in command of the lst U.S. Cavalry, he was responsible for the rout and capture of the advance guard of the Texas rebel militia. He resigned on 9 May, but a few days later was reappointed Lt. Colonel, 6th U.S. Cavalry. In a letter of June 17 (see Basler, 4:409) Lincoln specifically recommends Emory's promotion to full Colonel. Lincoln clearly read the man's credentials accurately, for Emory's subsequent war record, in various commands, was as distinguished as it was lengthy (see Boatner). He retired, a Brigadier General, in 1876. Published in Basler, Supplement 1, p. 78.
LINCOLN REINSTATES A DISTINGUISHED VETERAN OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER WARS
An interesting letter regarding the case of a seasoned officer and "Indian-fighter," Lt. Col. William Helmsley Emory, who had evidently resigned his commission due to questions concerning his loyalty to the Federal government. Lincoln orders his reinstatement: "Owing to the peculiar circumstances of Col. W. H. Emory's case, and especially because of the Commanding General's written statement that he is perfectly satisfied of Col. Emory's loyalty to the Government, and that he deems it important that Col. Emory should be restored to the service, especially if it can be done, to his position of Colonel 1st Cavalry. I direct that Col. W. H. Emory be allowed to withdraw what purports to be his resignation, and that he join his Regiment...."
William Helmsley Emory (1811-1887) was a native of Maryland, a border state; many officers from there were regarded with undue suspicion in the early days of the war. Emory, though, had already enjoyed a brilliant career: after serving in the army for some years, he resigned, studied civil engineering, was recommissioned as a Engineer, designed harbor fortifications, and was brevetted for a border survey. Then , he fought Indians with Kearny's California Expedition (where he was twice more brevetted), served in "Bleeding Kansas," and completed a Utah survey. In January 1861, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in command of the lst U.S. Cavalry, he was responsible for the rout and capture of the advance guard of the Texas rebel militia. He resigned on 9 May, but a few days later was reappointed Lt. Colonel, 6th U.S. Cavalry. In a letter of June 17 (see Basler, 4:409) Lincoln specifically recommends Emory's promotion to full Colonel. Lincoln clearly read the man's credentials accurately, for Emory's subsequent war record, in various commands, was as distinguished as it was lengthy (see Boatner). He retired, a Brigadier General, in 1876. Published in Basler, Supplement 1, p. 78.