MASSACHUSETTS WAR GOVERNOR JOHN A. ANDREW LETTER SIGNED SEEKING FUNDS FOR NEW COLORS FOR REGIMENTS AND BATTERIES IN THE FIELD, MARCH 1864

MASSACHUSETTS WAR GOVERNOR JOHN A. ANDREW LETTER SIGNED SEEKING FUNDS FOR NEW COLORS FOR REGIMENTS AND BATTERIES IN THE FIELD, MARCH 1864

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Item Code: 453-64

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Letter signed by John A. Andrew (1818-1867), Governor of Massachusetts throughout the Civil War, on engraved "Commonwealth of Massachusetts / Executive Department" letterhead, Boston, March 17, 1864. Addressed to the Hon. Moses Kimball, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Massachusetts House of Representatives, the letter asks the Legislature to fund new flags for the state's troops. Body in a secretarial hand, signed in brown ink by Andrew with his characteristic flourish.

TEXT

"Sir: Requisitions are lying in the office of the Quartermaster General of the State, for several sets of colors needed to be furnished to old regiments and batteries in the field which have returned their worn-out flags to the State, and to the new corps which are about to take the field for the first time, some of which new corps are to leave for the South next week. No appropriation remains outstanding to enable these requisitions to be filled, and I respectfully suggest that an appropriation for the purpose be made by the Legislature similar to that made for the same purpose last year. I have the honor to remain Very Truly Your obt Servt. John A. Andrew"

 

Andrew took an unusually personal interest in the colors carried by Massachusetts troops, and the state's practice of receiving back flags worn out in service laid the foundation of the battle flag collection later formally deposited at the State House. This letter captures that system at work: veteran regiments and batteries had sent their tattered colors home, and in the spring of 1864 Massachusetts was also completing a new wave of organizations, several of them preparing to depart for the front within days. Moses Kimball (1809-1895), founder of the Boston Museum and a prominent Boston civic figure, here chaired the House Committee on Finance that would act on the request.

Bifolium of lightly ruled wove paper, approx. 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., text on the first leaf recto and verso, conjugate leaf blank. Engraved letterhead in script at head of first page.

CONDITION:  Very good. Original horizontal and vertical folds, light toning, minor edge wear and show-through of ink between pages. Signature bold and fully legible.   [ss][ph:L]

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