Dated “Richmond Sept/29/62”. Addressed to R.P. Rowley. 1 pp., in ink, on lined paper, 9 x 7”. Exhibits fold-marks, light chipping & mounting stain along right margin. Else VG, and entirely legible.

Representative Garland responds to an application of Rowley’s for an appointment to the Confederate Corps of Engineers. An Arkansas native, Rowley had worked in an engineering capacity for Arkansas Governor Conway before the war, and had the credentials for such an appointment. At the time of his application Rowley had serving as a private in the Confederate Army.

In THIS response to Rowley, Representative Garland informs him that has the support of the entire Arkansas congressional delegation, and in due course, Rowley did receive a Lieutenant’s appointment to the Engineering staff of the Army of Tennessee. Later promoted from Captain to major, and then to Lieut. Col, Rowley ended the war in the Trans-Miss. Department, superintending Confederate Engineering projects in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Augustus Garland was an Arkansas lawyer-politician who served in the Confederate Congress, 1862-64. Disbarred following the war for his CS congressional service , Garland petitioned in the famed supreme court case, “Ex Parte Garland”, and in 1867 won reinstatement to the bar. He became Governor of Arkansas in 1874, and was elected in 1876 to the U.S. Senate, and again in 1882, resigning to accept the cabinet post of Attorney General in the first Cleveland administration, 1885-89. Although supported by the President, Garland’s tenure as Attorney General was stormy. To date, he is the only U.S. cabinet official ever to be censured by a vote of congress [for failing to provide documents about the firing of a U.S. Attorney.

Text:

“Dear Rowley…….The letter ______ enclosed__Col. G responds to the application I made today for you. The whole delegation applied for you. Their reply explains itself. The division in camp to which you belong will now go to Ark. in a week when you are appointed. The same authority rests with the Division as here in the War. Dept. with respect to transfers. I hope it will all come out right and you will get the place. [ed. He did] If I can assist you at any time I will.

We will again win I expect. We have done but little yet. We are well./ I shall be pleased to hear from you at all times. Your Friend truly/ A.H. Garland.”

Fine CSA/Arkansas wartime letter from rebel Congressman, later state governor and US Attorney General, assisting a rising officer in the Confederate Corps of Engineers, also an Arkansan. Arkansas collectors, take note.

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