1861. · Washington:
by Fremont, Jesse Benton.
Autograph letter, signed, one sheet of text, includes mailing envelope. A little soiling or staining, legible hand, normal aging, envelop with normal wear and aging; otherwise very good. John C. Fremont (1813-1890) was appointed a Major General by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, and gave him the command of the Department of the West. While Fremont had earned considerable fame as an explorer of the West, his tenure as a Union General appears to be much less impressive. After almost driving Missouri into the Confederacy with his brash actions, he was moved to Virginia and after a weak performance against Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Cross Keys, he would resign his command after being placed under General John Pope's command Fremont had a strong dislike for the man). Fremont would become the territorial Governor of Arizona after the war, and would actually be a Presidential candidate in 1864, before withdrawing. Jessie Benton Fremont (1824-1902), the author of this letter and wife of John C. Fremont, was a popular American writer and political activist. Her letter appears to be to the wife of Dr. Samuel Elton, and is written on her own embossed stationary. The letter is a tank you for sending some socks to General Fremont. "The beautiful knit socks came safely to the Genl. And you must let me send you something or ours in return." The letter is signed by Jessie Benton Fremont. Civil War Trust. (Inventory #: 106340)