J. Wheeler Civil War Gen. Pair of Autograph Docs Re: General Leonidas Polk

WHEELER, JOSEPH. Autograph Letter Signed, "Joseph Wheeler", 2pp on a folded sheet, 7" x 8.5", Wheeler, April 16, 1903.  Accompanied by an Autograph Manuscript, 8pp, 8.5" x 14", n.p., n.d.  The manuscript has heavy toning to the first page, foxing, horizontal folds with separation, repaired at verso, pinholes at top corners, else Very Good. The letter has expected folds with separation at most edges, toning, mounting remnants at the verso, else near Fine.

Wheeler's letter, in full,

"I have drawn off a little about Gen Polk. I regret I could not make it better. I trust your printer can make out what I have written. I have no type writer here & it would delay much to send it off. Use your judgement about using page 8 and make any change you or any friend of Gen Polk may deem best."

Wheeler's handwritten manuscript is an essay about Lt. General Leonidas Polk (1806-1864), and begins, "The ancestors of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk were among the early settlers of North Carolina. His grandfather, Hon. Thomas Polk was a prominent member of the Mecklenburg convention which declared the independence of North Carolina a year before the general declaration of July 4th 1776."

The essay continues, "He was quite distinguished as a student and graduated sixth in the class in 1827...In 1828 he was appointed Missionary Bishop of Arkansas & Indian Territory...On November 7th his troops crossed the Mississippi river and fought the battle of Belmont Missouri the opposing force being commanded by General U. S. Grant. The advance of the federal forces from Paducah compelled the retirement of Gen. Polks troops from Columbus...At the battle of Shiloh Gen. Polk commanded the First Army Corps...troops under this gallant leader did most effective service."

Joseph "Fighting Joe" Wheeler (1836-1906) was an American military commander and politician. He is known for having served both as a cavalry general in the Confederate States Army in the 1860s during the American Civil War, and then as a general in the United States Army during both the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War near the turn of the twentieth century. Between the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, Wheeler served multiple terms as a United States Representative from the state of Alabama as a Democrat.

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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