Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS – Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry – SOLD

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 3

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 4

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 5

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 6

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 7

Gen. John Reese Kenly CDV & ALS - Regarding Lt. James S. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry - SOLD - Image 8

This fine three page ALS by General John Reese Kenly, (and a carte de visite of Kenly), was written to Senator Creswell, at Washington, trying to get political help in re-instating Lt. James A. Baer, 1st Maryland Infantry after he was dismissed for drunkenness while on duty. General Kenly makes an excellent case for Baer, but so far, records suggest Baer’s fate had been sealed.

The image is of Kenly in civilian clothing, taken by E. Anthony. I have provided a transcript of the letter with the photos of this lot.

All fine- excellent condition and with some great historical association with a Washington descendant, and George A. Custer.

SKU: JMJ24- 162/ 158cdv Category: Sold Items

Description

West Pointers George A. Custer & James Barroll Washington.

James Barroll Washington was born in Baltimore, Md. in 1839, a descendant of George Washington. He went to West Point with George A. Custer, whom he befriended. When the Civil War broke out, Washington sided with the South, serving as a CSA, lieutenant and as Joseph Johnston’s aide-de-camp. On 31 May 1862, he was captured at the Battle of Seven Pines. Fort Delaware became James’ home for about three months. On September 21, at Aiken’s Landing, Va., he gained his release as part of a prisoner exchange. The officer swapped for him, 1st Lt. James S. Baer (1834-1917) of the 1st Maryland Infantry, had suffered a wound and fallen into enemy hands at Front Royal, Va., in May 1862.

His old classmate Custer – who had been fighting for the North- took a picture with him while Washington was in captivity. Washington had been serving as an ordnance officer in Alabama. After the war, he became a B&O Railroad executive, and he died in Pittsburgh in 1900.