Unknown Letter of J. W. Ripley and endorsement of Abraham Lincoln concerning guns [Decimalized .01-.02]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00337 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Header Record Date: 21 October 1861-22 October 1861 Pagination: 2 items Order a Copy
[Ripley's letter:]
Ordnance Office
Washington, Oct. 21st, 1861.
James Woodruff, Esq.
Washington D.C.
Sir,
Your letter of the 6th inst, proposing to finish light three pounder cannon, and the accompanying papers have been duly considered. In answer I have to state that it is not advisable, but on the contrary, very objectionable, to introduce into the service a new calibre of field artillery; and we have, already, a lighter piece, in use, the bronze mountain and prairie howitzer. You proposition cannot, therefore, be accepted.
Respectfully
Yr obt svt
Ja. W. Ripley
Br. Genl.
[2] [Lincoln's endorsement in the central panel:]
Will Lieut. General Scott please see Mr. James Woodruff, and, on consideration of all the grounds [struck: illegible] [insert: say] whether he would advise the purchase of the guns as proposed?
A. Lincoln
Oct. 22. 1861.
I concur fully with Brig. Genl. Ripley in the opinion he has expressed (within) on this subject.
Winfield Scott.
Oct. 22, 1861.
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