LINCOLN, Abraham (1809-1865), and Benjamin HARRISON (1833-1901). Autograph letter signed ("Benj. Harrison") to Congressman Albert G. Porter, with a note on verso initialed ("A.L."). Washington, D.C., 13 July 1861-7 August 1861.

1 p.; 10 x 7 3/4 in. (254 x 197 mm); docketed below Lincoln's endorsement in another hand; creasing from old folds; scattered soiling to verso; two small repaired holes, one affecting three letters.

LINCOLN ENDORSES A REQUEST FROM FUTURE PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON.

In full: "Dear Sir My brother, Carter B. Harrison, is very anxious to procure a Com(mission) as Lieut in the Reg. Army of the United States. He Is now bearing his musket as a private in one of the Ohio Regts. in Western Va. Some family reasons combine with this one indication to make sure an appointment a matter of desire to him & sons. He is a young man of unexceptionable habits & of good appearance if a brother is compelled to bear the testimony--I do not know the Co. of his Regt. but he is in Capt Dodds Company, which was reconciled at Oxford O(hio). where he was attending college. May I ask you to make this a personal matter? I have written to Lane & Colfax & they will I think ask you, if it is a matter of any such difficulty as to require a combination I hope to be able to take up the note I owe you before long. I exceedingly regret that I should have put you to any inconvenience & had I known that you would be in any... need of the money I would have worked to some other...for it. Respectfully Yours, Benj Harrison"

Docketed on verso by Lincoln: "I think this grandson of Gen. Harrison ought to be appointed a Lieut. A.L. Aug. 7 1861."

President Abraham Lincoln endorses a letter from future President Benjamin Harrison, requesting an appointment for his younger brother, Carter Harrison (1840-1905). Despite Lincoln's approval, it does not appear an appointment for Carter was ever put forth at the time. Carter served in the Union Army until 1864 when he was mustered out as a full Captain.

The future president Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) was an Indianapolis lawyer when the war broke out. A member of the distinguished Harrison family of Virginia, he was a great-grandson of Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Harrison V (1726-91), and the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841)--whom Lincoln vigorously campaigned for during the 1839 presidential election. The younger Benjamin volunteered for service at the request of Indiana Governor Oliver Morton, and on 22 July 1862, he was commissioned a Colonel of the 70th Indiana. He served with distinction through the Atlanta Campaign under William T. Sherman, seeing intense combat and was lauded for his brave and capable leadership. Harrison was a longtime supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and campaigned for the President in 1860, and delivered over 80 speeches on his behalf. In 1865, Benjamin was promoted by Lincoln to Brevet Brigadier General. After the war, Harrison returned to his legal career in Indianapolis for a few years before entering politics. He was elected Senator in 1881, and then the presidency in 1888 on the Republican ticket.

A SUPERB ASSOCIATION LINKING AMERICA'S 16TH AND 23RD PRESIDENTS. Basler, First Supplement p. 89.

Provenance:

Charles Hamilton Catalogue, 22 September 1966, No. 242

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation

This lot is located in Chicago.