1880 DATED ALS SIGNED BY UNION GENERAL STEPHEN GANO BURGRIDGE, THE “BUTCHER OF KENTUCKY”

1880 DATED ALS SIGNED BY UNION GENERAL STEPHEN GANO BURGRIDGE, THE “BUTCHER OF KENTUCKY”

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2

$125.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-1788

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Autograph note signed by Union general Stephen Gano Burbridge (1831–1894), written on a one-cent U.S. postal card, datelined "Phila. Pa. Feb. 6th 1880" and addressed in his hand to a correspondent in Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The message reads in full: "Dear Sir, I regret that somehow your letter has been mislaid during my absence from home. If you will be so kind as to repeat it I will reply by return mail. Yours Truly, S. G. Burbridge."

The card is a Liberty-head one-cent U.S. postal card of the 1870s issue ("POSTAL CARD — WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE — THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER"), cancelled with a circular Philadelphia, Pa. postmark and addressed to "Mr. B. Perry, Woodbury, Gloucester Co., N.J." An early collector's pencil notation on the message side reads "Union Genl."

Burbridge remains one of the most notorious Union commanders of the war. A Kentuckian who raised and led the 26th Kentucky Infantry, he served at Shiloh, Arkansas Post, and Champion Hill, fought through the Bayou Teche campaign, and defeated John Hunt Morgan at Cynthiana in 1864. Placed in military command of his home state that June, he imposed martial law and issued the infamous Order No. 59 authorizing the retaliatory execution of Confederate guerrillas — conduct that earned him the lasting nickname "Butcher of Kentucky" and made him, by one biographer's account, the most hated man in the Commonwealth. A post-war investigation drove him from Kentucky into self-imposed exile in Brooklyn; he died in 1894 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. This 1880 card dates from those embittered post-war years.

The note is brief and entirely personal in content, with no military or self-identifying references; the identification rests on the signature, which is consistent in form and period with the general's hand. It is offered as a genuine autograph signature of Gen. Burbridge rather than as a content letter, and the price reflects that. Buyers wanting absolute certainty may wish to compare the signature against authenticated exemplars or obtain third-party authentication.

CONDITION: The postal card measures approximately 3 x 5¼ inches (standard period format) and is hinged at the edges to a larger archival mount. Overall toning, a few light handling folds and minor surface smudges, ink slightly browned but fully legible; the signature is bold and clear. A presentable, displayable example.    [ss][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About 1880 DATED ALS SIGNED BY UNION GENERAL STEPHEN GANO BURGRIDGE, THE “BUTCHER OF KENTUCKY”

should be empty