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Celebrating a Report of McClellan’s Death |
Click to enlarge:
BENJAMIN PRENTISS (1819-1901).
Autograph Letter Signed (“Prentiss”) Columbus, [Kentucky], March 4, 1862. 1 p., 7¾ x 8¾ in.
Inventory #20740
Price: $2,400
Partial Transcript
“Columbus: Mch 4 , 1862
Dear C
We had news last evening of another repulse of our forces at Manassas & the death of McLellan [sic]. The news generally credited for an hour or two was by the abolitionists well recd particularly the death of Mc. some even going so far as to say that if he was killed it could compensate for the loss of a battle
I observe that you think there are some “celestial phenomena” developed in the political in these latter days.
There certainly are developments terrestrial among which is the plan of quartering on the enemy. Do you take?
Yours
Prentiss”
Historical Background
Prentiss fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, rising to the rank of Major General. He was captured at Shiloh along with 2200 other Union troops. He is often credited with holding the Confederate Army at bay in the area known as the ‘Hornet’s Nest,’ allowing General Grant’s army to survive the battle, and continue its trek into the South unfettered.
