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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1076

Civil War: Hooker, Joseph (1814-1879). Popularly known as "Fighting Joe" Hooker, Major-General in the Union Army and Commander of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War, perhaps best known for his defeat of Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, career military officer - serving in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War receiving three brevet promotions; led President Lincoln's Springfield funeral procession. Autograph Letter Signed "J.H." One-page note on Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomoc lined-stationery, 5 1/3 x 8", dated April 24, 1863. Writing to the Provost Marshal, Hooker says "The bearer of this is an old soldier & desires a pass to bring 1700 of his vols to the army…" Appreciated for his no-nonsense, aggressive stance in the field and ability and astuteness in operations, Hooker was appointed Commander of the Potomac near the end of January 1863. At about the time this letter was written, Hooker had also gained much recognition as an excellent administrator, restoring the morale of the troops which had sunk after the Battle of Fredericksburg debacle and Major-Gen. Ambrose Burnside's command and humiliating "Mud March". Hooker fixed the daily diet of his troops; improved camp sanitation, the furlough system and the accountability of the quartermaster system; reformed the hospitals; and implemented better drills and better officer training. Some soiling, mainly on blank back, small rent at center from heavy center fold does not interfere with Hooker's writing; Good. Accompanied by an old engraving of Hooker. [2]

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