Cowan, Andrew (fl. 1861-1887) to Henry Jackson Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.104 Author/Creator: Cowan, Andrew (fl. 1861-1887) Place Written: Louisville, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 October 1885 Pagination: 10 p. ; 24 x 15.3 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions Hunt's appointment as Governor of the Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. Refers to General Abner Doubleday's book, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Indignantly declares "As usual in every account or description of that Battle the 1st New York Battery is never mentioned. The writers... go round us and behind us and even occupy our positions with other guns, and I wonder now if it is not high time to enter some claim for a little recognition since, if at any time during the War, the 1st N.Y. Battery fought well- it fought splendidly at Gettysburg." Mentions Peter Frederick Rothermel's famous painting depicting the Battle of Gettysburg. Recently viewed an exhibition in Chicago titled "Great painting of the Battle of Gettysburg." Criticizes a multitude of errors. Mentions General Alexander Stewart Webb. Discusses the battle in detail. Notes "I had been shot through the Coat in the crisis of the Charge... I slept that night in the rain." Wonders if he should write to Doubleday, to receive recognition for his battery's brave efforts. Written on Mantle and Cowan, Leather and Belting stationery. Cowan served in the First New York Independent Battery of Light Artillery, Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.
Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts, including that of Governor of the Soldier's Home in Washington, D.C. from 1883 until his death. Cowan served in the First New York Independent Battery of Light Artillery, Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.
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