Pleasonton, Alfred J. (1824-1897) to L. S. Perley
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02607 Author/Creator: Pleasonton, Alfred J. (1824-1897) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 February 1865 Pagination: 3 p. ; 25.2 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Major General Pleasanton transmits his autograph with a letter taken from a Confederate post office to Perley, Chairman of the Autograph Committee of the Soldier's Aid Society of Northern Ohio, for a benefit fair. Informs Perley that "It always gives me great pleasure to render any assistance to the Sanitary Commission, as the important benefits conferred by that institution upon our Armies in the field, have alleviated much of the misery, hardship, and suffering, to which our noble & gallant soldiers have been exposed."
The United States Sanitary Commission, formed in 1861, unified the efforts of benevolent societies and the Federal Government in acquiring donations and provisions for the Union Army. Various fairs were held across the United States during the course of the Civil War to raise funds for the Commission.
ALFRED PLEASANTON
MAJOR GENERAL, U.S.V.
SENDING AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO THE SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY OF
NORTHERN OHIO, TO BE SOLD AT THE CLEVELAND FOR THE BENEFIT
OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION
Head Quarters, Cavalry Corps
Army of the Potomac
Feb. 12th, 1864
To
L.S. Perley Esq.
Chairman, Autograph Committee.
Soldiers Aid Society of Northern Ohio
My dear Sir,
Your note of the 4th inst, requesting an autograph letter for the benefit of the Fair to be held at Cleveland, Ohio, has just been received.
It always gives me great pleasure to render any assistance to the Sanitary Commission, as the importantt benefits conferred by that institution upon our Armies in the field, have alleviated much of the misery, hardship & suffering, to which our noble & gallant soldiers have been exposed. A favor to so benevolent a Society, is only casting one's bread aupon the water to be returned after, not many, but a few days.
The enclosed letter was captured at a rebel post office in April last, where the Army of the Potomac was on the march to Chancellorsville. The writer was a soldier in Stuart's Cavalry, and the contents may possess sufficient interest to be disposed of by the Aid Society at their Fair.
Regretting I have nothing valuable to offer at this time in the way of trophies -
I remain, very respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
A Pleasanton
Maj Genl
Commanding
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