CIVIL WAR, GETTYSBURG]. A group of letters of Union officers who participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, all to George J. Gross, most in response to his book The Battle-Field of Gettysburg (Philadelphia, 1866), which Gross has sent them, (a copy, disbound, with an albumen portrait of Gross accompanies the lot). Included are: CHAMBERLAIN, JOSHUA LAWRENCE, Major General. Two autograph letters signed (J.L. Chamberlain"), Brunswick, Me., 27 November and 1 October 1866, together 5 pages, 8vo, fine content letters from the saviour of Little Round Top, commenting that, "I have long since given over expecting...any proper understanding...on the part of writers and historians of battles....The great difficulty in writing the story of a battle, as well as in making an official report of one, is to get the times right ...A little error, or want of acquaintance with...particular military movements, will give an entirely wrong view of the case....This has undoubtedly led to some severity of judgment...towards the conduct of the 5th Army Corps [commanded by General Sykes]. The simple fact is that every brigade of it...was in the line, and the front line too, before any musketry fire had commenced on the left, and we were in and under fire till the battle was over...." In the second, Chamberlain says he has written "a little account of the 'Defence of Round Top,' which has not been printed nor even reported...."--WEBB, ALEXANDER S., Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed, West Point [N.Y.], 11 April 1867, 1 page, 8vo , the Medal of Honor winner acknowledges Gross's book on Gettysburg and thanks him for "your kind mention of my services" (Webb commanded the brigades at "the angle" during Pickett's charge)--ROTHERMEL, PETER F. painter. Autograph letter signed, n.p., 26 April 1867, 2 pages, 8vo, the painter who did a famous series of paintings of Gettysburg terms Gross's account "graphic both as to Battle and Landscape"; he himself has tried to do "with a brush and canvas, what you have done so well with a pen on paper....I would greatly like to see the photos of Rebs you mention..."--WHIPPLE, WILLIAM D., Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed to Major R.C. Schenk, Philadelphia, 11 July 1863, 1 page, 8vo, giving Gross, "an influential member of the Union League," permission to visit Gettysburg (a week after the battle) "to look after a wounded frind or relative"--GEARY, JOHN, Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed, New Cumberland, Pa., 13 October 1866, 2 pages, 8vo, "As far as my observations of that great battle were taken, I consider [your book] graphic and truthful," and commenting on his pleasure in the results of the recent elections: "truth and right have triumphed"--GRAHAM, CHARLES R., Brigadier General. Autograph letter signed, New York, 15 December 1865, 3 1/2 pages, 8vo, commenting that "Pickett did not participate in the charge of his charge of his Division," praising the accuracy of Gross's account of the second day's battle, urging him to write on General Birney, and extolling his "courage, coolness and judgement," and concluding that "in thinking & acting under fire, Birney surpasses any commander under whom I ever served..." (7)
CIVIL WAR, GETTYSBURG]. A group of letters of Union officers who participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, all to George J. Gross, most in response to his book The Battle-Field of Gettysburg (Philadelphia, 1866), which Gross has sent them, (a copy, disbound, with an albumen portrait of Gross accompanies the lot). Included are: CHAMBERLAIN, JOSHUA LAWRENCE, Major General. Two autograph letters signed (J.L. Chamberlain"), Brunswick, Me., 27 November and 1 October 1866, together 5 pages, 8vo, fine content letters from the saviour of Little Round Top, commenting that, "I have long since given over expecting...any proper understanding...on the part of writers and historians of battles....The great difficulty in writing the story of a battle, as well as in making an official report of one, is to get the times right ...A little error, or want of acquaintance with...particular military movements, will give an entirely wrong view of the case....This has undoubtedly led to some severity of judgment...towards the conduct of the 5th Army Corps [commanded by General Sykes]. The simple fact is that every brigade of it...was in the line, and the front line too, before any musketry fire had commenced on the left, and we were in and under fire till the battle was over...." In the second, Chamberlain says he has written "a little account of the 'Defence of Round Top,' which has not been printed nor even reported...."--WEBB, ALEXANDER S., Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed, West Point [N.Y.], 11 April 1867, 1 page, 8vo , the Medal of Honor winner acknowledges Gross's book on Gettysburg and thanks him for "your kind mention of my services" (Webb commanded the brigades at "the angle" during Pickett's charge)--ROTHERMEL, PETER F. painter. Autograph letter signed, n.p., 26 April 1867, 2 pages, 8vo, the painter who did a famous series of paintings of Gettysburg terms Gross's account "graphic both as to Battle and Landscape"; he himself has tried to do "with a brush and canvas, what you have done so well with a pen on paper....I would greatly like to see the photos of Rebs you mention..."--WHIPPLE, WILLIAM D., Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed to Major R.C. Schenk, Philadelphia, 11 July 1863, 1 page, 8vo, giving Gross, "an influential member of the Union League," permission to visit Gettysburg (a week after the battle) "to look after a wounded frind or relative"--GEARY, JOHN, Brigadier General . Autograph letter signed, New Cumberland, Pa., 13 October 1866, 2 pages, 8vo, "As far as my observations of that great battle were taken, I consider [your book] graphic and truthful," and commenting on his pleasure in the results of the recent elections: "truth and right have triumphed"--GRAHAM, CHARLES R., Brigadier General. Autograph letter signed, New York, 15 December 1865, 3 1/2 pages, 8vo, commenting that "Pickett did not participate in the charge of his charge of his Division," praising the accuracy of Gross's account of the second day's battle, urging him to write on General Birney, and extolling his "courage, coolness and judgement," and concluding that "in thinking & acting under fire, Birney surpasses any commander under whom I ever served..." (7)
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