NELSON A. MILES (1839–1925 TYPED LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY

NELSON A. MILES (1839–1925 TYPED LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

$150.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-1755

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

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

Typed Letter Signed ("Nelson A. Miles"), one page, 4.75 x 7.5 in., on the ornate gothic-lettered "Headquarters of the Army, Washington" letterhead, dated March 17, 1899. Addressed to General Francis H. Appleton, M.V.M. (Massachusetts Volunteer Militia), 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts. In full:

"My dear Sir:— I have your very kind invitation of the 3rd instant, and regret that my arrangements are such that it will be impossible for me to be present with you on the occasion referred to. Very truly yours,"

Boldly signed in ink beneath the typed close with a full, confident "Nelson A. Miles" signature, consistent with known exemplars of his hand.

The letter dates to the heart of Miles's tenure as Commanding General of the United States Army, a post he held from October 1895 to August 1903 — the last officer ever to hold that title before it was succeeded by the Chief of Staff. At the time of writing he served at the rank of Major General (he was not promoted to lieutenant general until 1900). Miles had returned the previous year as a national figure, having personally led the Puerto Rico campaign of the Spanish-American War, capping a career that ran from the Civil War (Medal of Honor, Chancellorsville) through the principal Indian Wars campaigns of the 1870s–1890s, including the surrender of Geronimo. Headquarters of the Army letterhead bearing his signature as the Army's senior officer makes for a strong, displayable association piece.

Condition: Usual horizontal and vertical mailing folds; light, even toning to the paper; otherwise clean and sound, with a dark, highly legible signature. Presented in archival mounting corners on a backing sheet.

Accompanied by a period wood-engraved portrait of the general captioned "GENERAL NELSON A. MILES," a handsome display companion (a published engraving, not original art).    [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 NELSON A. MILES (1839–1925 TYPED LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE U.S. ARMY

should be empty