Gibbon, John (1827-1896) to Henry Jackson Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.049 Author/Creator: Gibbon, John (1827-1896) Place Written: Fort Laramie, Wyoming Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 October 1883 Pagination: 8 p. ; 20.2 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions an editorial in the 3 June 1883 issue of an unspecified Herald, which Gibbon had previously requested from Hunt. States that the Herald contained a review of a book by Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (possibly The Virginia campaign of '64 and '65; the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James, published in 1883). The review refers to a mistake made by Gibbon during the campaign; Gibbon asks Hunt to ascertain Humphreys' source of information regarding details of the book, and mentions Hancock and Mitchell (possibly General Winfield Scott Hancock and W. G. Mitchell, his aide-de-camp during the Wilderness Campaign). Discusses at length what he perceives to be false information in the article and book regarding an order he allegedly received from Hancock. Mentions Logan's retirement bill (possibly referring to Senator John Logan, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs). Discusses retirement possibilities for military veterans, and wishes Bragg (possibly General Edward Bragg) was in Congress. Mentions family and personal matters.
Hunt was governor of the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. from 1883 until his death. Gibbon, a Civil War general, continued in the military after the war, serving in the Montana Territory and Pacific Northwest. He commanded Fort Laramie in 1883, and the Department of the Platte in 1884.
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