Letter to Secretary of the Navy to Appoint Dr. Dunn as Fleet Paymaster at the Mississippi River Station
4p. Lettersheet 16" x 10" (folded once). Item #018246
Six major Missouri US Congressmen along with the Governor Each of whom chose opposite sides in the US Civil War requesting the Secretary of the Navy to appoint Dr. Elisha W. Dunn as Fleet Paymaster at the Mississippi River Station January 28, 1858. Autographed Letter Signed by six prominent Missouri political leaders requesting that Secretary Issac Toncey appoint Dr. E.W. Dunn to paymaster position. As the Civil War was just three years way, the appointment was made on March 17, 1858 (see page 4 of letter). James S. Green who served as U.S. Senator from Missouri until March 4, 1861. (His brother Martin served as a Confederate brigadier general during the Civil War). John B. Clark who served in the U.S. house until July 13, 1861 when he was expelled for taking up harms against the Union. James Craig who served in the U.S. House until March 3, 1861 but unlike his fellow signers supported the Union Cause when war broke out a month later and was appointed by President Lincoln as Brigadier General of Volunteers. Thomas L. Anderson who served the U.S. House under the American Party but left in 1859 to resume his practice of law until the war broke out and he went to Macon City, Missouri where he raised the Confederate flag and began as an officer determined to see the South’s success in breaking away from the Union. James S. Green gave another speech which was interrupted when Union General Nathaniel Lyon captured Camp Jackson. Now these Southern sympathizers later they joined under Capt. William Marmaduke in the Southern push to control Missouri. John S. Phelps who served in the U.S. House as a Democrat from 1845-1863, Phelps County, Missouri was named after him in 1857. When the Civil War broke out he joined the Union side. He rose in rank and in July 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln to first head Phelp’s Regiment, Missouri Voluneers and in July as Military Governor of Arkansas. R[obert] M. Stewart who served as Governor of Missouri from 1857-1861. The incipient divisions that were more pronounced than in any other state are evidenced here. Three joined the Union, three followed the Confederacy. Dr. E.W. Dunn nearly went to Federal prison when fire destroyed his the Union naval pay station on the banks of the Mississippi. Paymasters were often held responsible for the loss of records, payrolls, and related documents even when they were not truly at fault. He was cleared of all charges in the U.S. Senate after witnesses from Rear Admiral D.D. Porter to Gideon Wells, Secretary of the Navy did not feel he should be held liable.
Price: $270.00