Boker, George H. (George Henry) (1823-1890) to David Bell Birney
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02608.02 Author/Creator: Boker, George H. (George Henry) (1823-1890) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 March 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 18.6 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Boker, Secretary of Philadelphia's Union League, thanks General Birney for the flag of General Philip Kearny, recently donated to the League (refer to GLC02608.01). Declares "I never before was so thoroughly impressed with my incompetency to perform any duty that was allotted to me. If you could have been present at the Solemn Silence which fell on all lips, as I reverently unrolled that war-worn standard ... you would understand how poorly mere words can convey the feeling which it inspired." Thanks Birney for the "treasure which I know that you esteem above all other symbols save that of our nationality." States that if Birney or any of his staff members travel to Philadelphia, they are welcome at the Union League.
Boker was a noted author, playwright, and poet. He was instrumental in founding the Union Club, which eventually became the Union League of Philadelphia, established to raise funds and encourage military enlistment. During the 1870s, Boker served as minister to Turkey and Russia.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.