George McClellan ALS Re: Army of the Potomac Official Report

Autograph Letter Signed,“Geo B McClellan,” 1p on a bifold sheet, 5.25” x 8.25”. Orange, [New Jersey], no date, but penned in January 1864, "Tuesday PM". To Edwin Bartlett Esq., 5th Ave Hotel [New York City]. Fine condition.

In full, “My Dear Mr. Bartlett, Your kind note inviting me to attend your Whist party reached me this afternoon. I am very busy just now in writing against time – being engaged in preparing a Chapter on Western Virginia to accompany the New York Edition of my Report, so that I fear it will not be in my power to avail myself of your kindness. Mrs. McC unites with me in kindest regards to Mrs Bartlett & yourself. With my sincere thanks for your thoughtfulness. I am your friend…”

On January 13, 1864, the House of Representatives “Resolved, That ten thousand copies of the official report of Major General McClellan (not including the accompanying documents) be printed for the use of the members of the present house.” The 38th Congress had authorized publication in late 1863 of “Organization of the Army of the Potomac. Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting the report of Gen. George B. McClellan upon the Organization of the Army of the Potomac, and its campaigns in Virginia and Maryland, from July 26th, 1861, to November 7th, 1862.” The government publication omitted parts of McClellan’s “Official Report.” An “Abstract and Analysis in Advance of Publication” first published in “The New York Commercial Advertiser” and then in “The New York Times” on January 5, 1864, began: “The report is dated New-York, Aug. 4, 1863. It begins with an illusion to the results of the victories in Western Virginia, which, we learn, were won not at all in connection with any general cooperative plan of action…”

Newspaper reports of Gen. McClellan’s early battle victories in western Virginia had propelled him to the status of a national hero. The “New York Herald” headlined an article about him “Gen. McClellan, the Napoleon of the Present War.” Ostensibly, this excerpt published in advance of the government printing, resulted in McClellan quickly writing “a Chapter on Western Virginia” which became an introductory chapter (as well as part of the title) of his soon-to-be published Report. “Report on the Organization and Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac: to which is added an Account of the Campaign in Western Virginia with Plans of the Battle Fields” by General George B. McClellan was published by Sheldon & Co. in New York in late February 1864.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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