^Lot 5 Chester A. Arthur

War-dated ALS signed “C. A. Arthur QMG,” one page, 8 x 11, State of New York Quartermaster General’s Department letterhead, September 19, 1862. Letter to Assistant Quartermaster General John J. Rider. In full: “You will inform Quartermaster Allen, that when the 148th Regt leaves Geneva (which will be on tomorrow or next day), the common tents used for the encampment of that regiment there, will be sent to Albany, for the use of such troops as way be ordered to that Depot. It will not, therefore, be necessary to provide additional barracks immediately, or until further orders from me.” Small tear to bottom edge, well away from signature, pencil notation to lower left, a trivial brush to one initial of signature, and some scattered light toning, otherwise fine condition.

Appointed to the military staff of New York Governor Edwin W. Morgan in 1860, Arthur was made a brigadier general in the quartermaster department at the outbreak of the Civil War. His efficiency housing and equipping the troops in New York City won him the position of inspector general in the state militia and then quartermaster general in July 1862. Arthur never saw action during the war; he had an opportunity to serve at the front when the 9th New York Volunteer Regiment elected him colonel, but he stayed in New York at the request of Governor Morgan. A fine war-dated letter, earlier than generally encountered.