4th U.S. Cavalry Officer’s Letter To Paymaster 1872. SOLD

Possibly the last letter written in the life of Captain Powers, who dealt with many ailments while stationed in Texas after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1865.

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4th U.S. Cavalry Officer’s Letter To Paymaster 1872, written from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on April 17th, 1872.

Captain Clinton Jacob Powers, writes to Paymaster Col. J.W. Nichols notifying the paymaster that a check for $200.00 dollars was received, “the same being for money sent in favor of Maj. J.K. Mizner, 4 U.S. Cav…..”

Powers graduated from the USMA in 1865, and began his army service with the 4th Cavalry in June of 1865. Promoted to 1st lieutenant in April of 1866, and again to captain in June of 1870. He died in service on April 21, 1872, just four days after this letter was sent out. This could very well be his last letter in an abbreviated life.

“Captain Clinton J. Powers was born in Youngstown, Ohio, July 20, 1844, from which place he was appointed a Cadet at the Military Academy, September, 1861. He was graduated and appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Cavalry June 23, 1865. Joining his regiment in the fall of ’65, he served with it on frontier duty in Texas until July, 1866; from this time until March, 1867, he was on sick leave of absence.

Returning again to his regiment, he served for a few months, when a hemorrhage of the lungs obliged him again to leave. After spending nearly a year and a half in St. Paul, Minn., he hoped that he was thoroughly recovered, and having been promoted June 10, 1870, to a Captaincy, he joined and took command of his company at Ringgold Barracks, on the Rio Grande.

In a few months he felt the first symptoms of the “disease of the spine,” which finally proved fatal.

Captain Powers remained with his company in Texas until January, 1872, when, upon the advice of his surgeon, he came North to his father’s home (then in Pittsburgh, Pa.), where he died April 21, 1872.

Captain Powers was one of those frank, generous, manly natures who win the love of all with whom they are associated. During much of his official life he suffered from disease, which he knew must carry him to an early grave; yet the brave manner in which he resisted its approaches, and the cheerfulness and resignation with which he met his fate may well serve as a model for us all.”  

(University of Chicago

https://penelope.uchicago.edu › Army › AOG_Reunions).
 Very good condition.

 

Additional information

Weight .5 lbs