McClellan, George Brinton (1826-1885) to Moses Grinnell
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00221 Author/Creator: McClellan, George Brinton (1826-1885) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 03 July 1863 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Asks Grinell if he can assist the bearer of the letter, supposedly the wife of one of McClellan's soldiers. The woman who is delivering the letter to Grinell "represents herself as being Mrs. McCormick," the wife of a soldier who served under McClellan. She claims she is destitute, and McClellan asks Grinell to help her, since he has "control of a fund destined to the relief of such cases."
Moses Hicks Grinell was the New York City Commissioner of Charities and Corrections and had previously served as a Congressman from New York. Also served as Central Park commissioner, collector of the port of New York, and in other governmental offices.
[excerpt]
...The bearer of this represents herself as being Mrs McCormick, wife of a soldier of a Penna Regt, & as quite destitute. She tells me that she learns that you have control of a fund destined to the relief of such cases, & I have taken the liberty, at her request, of asking your attention to her case.
In this I am actuated only by the interest I feel in the family of one of my old soldiers - I know nothing of the case but what she tells me, & her appearance impresses me favorably...
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