Civil War Telegram -March 13th 1865 From Edwin M. Stanton Sec. Of War SOLD

Description

Civil War Telegram -March 13th 1865 From Edwin M. Stanton Sec. Of War. The telegram was sent through the American Telegraph, Company sent to General John A. Dix (Care Jno. Homer, New York), “The following report of Gen’l Sheridans recent operations has been received by this dept.  Edwin M. Stanton / Sec of War.”  The telegram was sent to Gen. Dix while commanding the Department of the East, in New York City.

In early 1865, Sheridan’s cavalry began to ratchet up the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, and made it their mission to finally wear down the last remnant of Confederate Gen. Jubal Early’s army. In early March, Sheridan as captured more than 1500 confederate after attacking Early’s right flank at Waynesboro.  Early and his staff escaped, while Sheridan crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains and took Charlottesville, Va., then moving about the area destroying every possible railroad, canal locks, and other facilities that were important to the enemy.  Sheridan’s cavalry pressed on after the date of this telegram, and would soon join forces with the Army of the Potomac then near Petersburg, which led to the final campaign and the surrender at Appomattox, Va.

The telegram is not written in the hand of Secretary Stanton, but most likely by the telegraph operator.  A great historical piece written at the time, in less than a month before Robert E. Lee, and his Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to Gen. U.S. Grant.

Fine condition.