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FANTASTIC GETTYSBURG ALS DATED JULY 9, 1863 – HIRAM C. ALLEMAN, MILITARY GOVERNOR OF GETTYSBURG – RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTION OF THE DEAD AND WOUNDED, AND DISCARDED MILITARY EQUIPMENT

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2pp, in ink, dated Gettysburg, July 9, 1863.  Excellent condition, no tears or stains.  All clearly legible.

Written by Hiram Clay Alleman (1831-1906), newly appointed Military Governor of Gettysburg, to Major John S. Schultz, AAG Dept. of the Susquehanna.  Alleman was a 30-year-old attorney residing in Harrisburg, PA when he enlisted as a Captain on 8/5/62 at Harrisburg, PA.  On 8/9/62 he was commissioned into Co. D, 127^th Pennsylvania. On 8/16/62 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. He commanded the 127^th at Fredericksburg (where he was wounded in the leg by a shell fragment) and Chancellorsville (where he was struck in the ribs by a shell fragment, falling from his horse). He was mustered out of service along with the regiment on 5/29/63. In June 1863 upon Lee’s advance towards Pennsylvania, Alleman recruited the 36^th Pennsylvania Militia and was appointed Colonel. He marched his command to Gettysburg following the battle, where he was made Military Governor of the town, battlefield and hospitals. His unit was responsible for collecting the dead, wounded and lost soldiers in the area as well as equipment including muskets, blankets, wagons, horses and mules. Alleman mustered out of the 36^th along with the rest of its members on 8/11/63, so his duties at Gettysburg lasted just 5 ½ weeks.  He was then elected to the PA House of Representatives, serving from 1864 to 1865. He later practiced law in Philadelphia, and in 1873 was appointed Attorney of the United States for Colorado. Alleman died in New York City in 1906, and is buried in Washington, DC.

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The text of the letter reads:

 

Head Quarters, 36 Regt P.M.

Gettysburg Pa. July 9/'63

 

Maj Jno. S. Schultze

AAG Dept. Susquehanna

 

 

Maj,

I marched (from) Gettysburg with my command at 2 ½ o’clock P.M. to-day and encamped on the South side of town. I would have marched this place last evening but for the impassibility of the mountain streams - nearly all of the bridges having been swept away by the freshet, compelling us to take a circuitous route.

I have assumed command of this post, and detailed Lt. Col. Mackay of my regt. [36th PA Militia] Provost Marshall of Gettysburg.

Capt. W. Rankin U.S.A. is Dept. Susquehanna. Gen. Halleck has sent two of his staff officers – Captains W. Willard Smith and H. B. Blood to Gettysburg with written instructions of the 6th inst to collect all Government property found on battle-field and forward serviceable arms to Army of Potomac and balance to Washington.

Lt. Shaff, Ordnance Officer has also been sent here to receive all captured ordnance and ship the same to Washington.

I have detailed Company A of my regt for provost guard only in Gettysburg.

I will detail men in the morning to collect all arms and accoutrement upon the battle-field, shall I turn them over to the Ordnance officer? I will also make details[?] to bury the dead rebels and horses.

I will make the necessary details to load and unload Quarter Master’s stores[?] and also guard the same.

 

Very Respectfully,

Your Obedt Servant

H. C. Alleman

Col. 36th Reg. P.M.

Comdg. Post

 

 

A lot of Commissary stores and ammunition have arrived for Gen. Smith’s Division. Where shall I forward them?

 

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The letter is directed to Major John Smythe Schultz [Schultze]; Schultz, born in Centre County, PA in 1834, enlisted on 10/28/61 as a 1^st Lieut. On that date he was commissioned in Field & Staff 93^rd Pennsylvania Infantry. Promoted to 1^st Lieut & Quartermaster on 10/28/61; to Major (not mustered) on 11/27/62; discharged for promotion to Captain and Aide-de-Camp of US Volunteers on 4/25/63. On 6/23/63 he was discharged for promotion, and commissioned into US Volunteers Adjutant Genl Dept as a Major & Asst. Adjutant General. Promoted Lt. Colonel and Colonel, both by Brevet, on 3/13/65.  One source indicated that he was on the platform with President Lincoln when he delivered the Gettysburg address. Following the War, Schultz was a state senator from Ocean County, NJ. He died in 1912 in Boonton, Morris County, NJ and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Toms River.

William Willard Smith enlisted as a Captain on 12/9/61 and was commissioned into the US Volunteers Aide-de-Camp. He was a personal aide-de-camp to Gen. Halleck until he was mustered into the 6^th US Volunteer Infantry in March 1865 as it’s Lieutenant Colonel, serving in the Dept. of the Plains until mustered out in November 1866. He died in 1876 and is buried in Rome Cemetery, Rome, NY.

Henry Boyden Blood, born in 1835 in Worcester County, MA, enlisted on 10/15/62 as a Captain; on that date he was commissioned into US Volunteers Quartermaster’s Dept. Promoted to Major and Lt. Colonel, both by Brevet, on 3/13/65; he mustered out on 11/9/65.  Blood died in 1917 in Keokuk, IA, and is buried there in Oakland Cemetery.

Altogether, a highly interesting letter regarding the details of the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg. Accompanied by a file of internet research material, and a typewritten transcription.    [ad][ph:L]

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