1872 ALS – JOHN F. HARTRANFT, UNION MAJOR GENERAL, MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, PROVOST MARSHAL AT EXECUTION OF LINCOLN CONSPIRATORS, GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA

1872 ALS – JOHN F. HARTRANFT, UNION MAJOR GENERAL, MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, PROVOST MARSHAL AT EXECUTION OF LINCOLN CONSPIRATORS, GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Item Code: 2026-1789

HARTRANFT, JOHN F. (1830–1889). Union major general, Medal of Honor recipient, provost marshal at the execution of the Lincoln conspirators, and 17th Governor of Pennsylvania. Autograph Letter Signed ("J.F. Hartranft"), 4 pp., on a single folded bifolium, "Hbg." (Harrisburg), October 28, 1872, to "Needham."

An exceptional content letter written within days of his election as Governor of Pennsylvania, in which Hartranft reflects candidly on his improbable rise from soldier to statesman. He recalls that at war's end he "had not the least idea of accepting any political position," accepting the 1865 nomination for Auditor General only on the morning of the convention; confesses he "rather liked army life" and accepted, then declined, a colonelcy in the Regular Army; credits wartime Governor Andrew Curtin with first urging him to run; and pledges to "give our people… the best administration that they have ever had." Includes the memorable self-deprecating line that his chief qualification for high office is that he "can stand the abuse about as well as Grant."

Embossed stationer's blindstamp at head of first leaf; old pencil docket "Genl. Hartranft / 4 pp." on integral leaf. Usual mailing folds, light toning, a couple of faint handling marks, no significant tears or losses, bold and entirely legible ink. A superior, fully autograph political letter from a general directly tied to the Lincoln assassination aftermath.    [ss][ph:L]

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