This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/23/2024
GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885). Wartime Autograph Letter Signed. Vicksburg, Miss., October 6th 1863. Addressed “Maj. Gen. Brown, Paymaster U. S. A.” One 8vo page on one sheet of plain white paper with illegible embossed stamp at upper left corner. Approximately 8 ¾ x 5”. Toned, foxed, two horizontal creases visible. Letter is mounted onto paper. Matted and framed under glass with an engraved portrait of Grant in uniform in camp (Johnson, Fry & Co., 1866); portrait sight approximately 9 ¼ x 6”. Frame size approximately 13 ¾ x 18”. Not examined out of frame. A near fine wartime letter from Grant. “Maj. I would like an Eastern draft for $200.00 made payable to Harry Boggs and the remainder of my pay in large bills, say 50s & 100s. Yours respectfully U. S. Grant Maj. Gen.” On the verso of the frame is a typed letter signed by John Y. Simon (Director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association) on stationery of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, Morris Library, Southern Illinois University, dated January 28, 1980. Addressed to the consignor, this letter gives some context to Grant’s letter: “The Grant children stayed with Louisa Boggs through the early part of 1864, and I believe the transfer of funds had to do with their support, though it may reflect in part to an old debt incurred by Grant while living in St. Louis. I doubt the latter, because by October, 1863, he had been drawing pay as a general long enough to pay off all old debts; the $200 should have been something new.” Harry Boggs was a cousin of Grant’s wife, as well as a friend and business partner, so Grant paying him for the maintenance of his children makes sense, as the children lived with the Boggs during this period.