Here is an excellent original Civil War letter written from Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles to then Captain (Future Admiral) Andrew H. Foote (1806-1863). It is headed from the Navy Department and is dated June 17th 1862. In the letter, Welles is franting, per Foote’s request, a leave of absence of three months from his "command of the U. S. Naval Fleet employed on the Mississippi River and its tributaries...based upon the condition of your health, arising from a wound received at Fort Donelson." Foote received a foot wound in the attack on Fort Donelson in February 1862. He never fully recovered. As if that wasn't enough, the document is hand signed in ink by the secretary of the Navy for the union during the Civil War, Gideon Welles (1802 - 1878). Gideon Welles was born in 1802 in Connecticut and before the war served as editor of the Hartford Times from 1826 until 1836. He was extremely valuable asset to the Union side during the Civil War. Because so many people left the Navy to serve in the Confederacy it was imperative to rebuild the Union Navy. He did so quite well. The Navy rose from 90 ships at the outbreak of the war to 670 ships by the war's end. Members of the Navy rose from 9000 to 57,000 during the war. He also was a proponent for the new technology of the day including the new ironclad ships. After the war he founded one of New England's earliest Republican newspapers, the Hartford Evening Press. It is a wonderful document that was to a highly important naval commander. In addition to that you have a wonderful ink autograph of Abraham Lincoln's secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles. The letter is accompanied by modern xerox copies of images of Welles and Foote.

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All items are described to the best of our ability. Remember that the only true experts died 100 years ago. If we make a mistake we will make it right. It is always best to call and reserve an item as most of them are unique. We do out best to keep the web-site up-to-date but sometimes items sell out of the shop or at a show and aren't removed immediately. After you place your order and receive confirmation from Shiloh Relics. The item will be held for 7 days for the payment to arrive. If payment is not received within 7 days the item will be placed back for sale. Please call between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time. A minimum charge of $10.00 will be added to cover shipping. Items can be shipped UPS or USPS Priority Mail. Tennessee residents must include 9.75% sales tax. All items are 100% GUARANTEED. If for any reason you are unhappy with the relic just return it UNALTERED within 5 days for a refund minus shipping charges and restocking fee of 6%. Layaways can be arranged on items over $100. Layaway terms are; 1/3 down and 1/3 in 30 days with balance due in full in 60 days. Due to time factors there are no refunds or price discounts on layaways. Only 1 item may be in lay-a-way at a time unless approved by Shiloh Relics. We reserve the right to refuse service to rude people. We are always buying and trading so feel free to make an offer. Thanks for stopping by! Rafael Eledge, Owner of ShilohRelics.com.

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