McClellan, George Brinton (1826-1885) to Henry Jackson Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.070 Author/Creator: McClellan, George Brinton (1826-1885) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 May 1881 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.5 x 25.2 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from Gramercy Park. Informs Hunt of his upcoming European vacation. States "I am very sorry to hear that there are any intimations of retiring you next year- more on account of the good of the service than your own- except in the matter of pay." Discusses Pope's campaign (possibly referring to General John Pope's Northern Virginia Campaign in 1862) noting that Halleck (General in Chief) should not have allowed Pope to fight until the main body of the Army of the Potomac had joined him. Discusses political matters in New York. Referring to the Republican party, states "it does look as if it could be no easy matter to heal the wounds they are inflicting on each other. It is a free fight & I hope the Dem leaders will have sense enough to play their cards so that we may have some advantages from it." Includes the address where he can be reached in Europe.
Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. He was commander of the Department of the South 1880-1883. McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War, before being relieved of command. He was Governor of New Jersey 1878-1881.
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