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Cowdin, Elliot Christopher, 1819-1880 to Kate Cowdin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00333 Author/Creator: Cowdin, Elliot Christopher, 1819-1880 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: December 22, 1861 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope Height: 20 cm, Width: 12.9 cm Order a Copy

Christopher Elliot Cowdin updates his wife of a recent visit to see his nephew Wallis, who belonged to an Irish Brigade which was part of the Army of the Potomac. He reports meeting General Newton (possibly John Newton), the brigade commander, and General Franklin (possibly William B. Franklin), the division commander. He describes attending the grand review of General Fitz-John Porter's division, where he witnessed the activities of (and was possibly introduced to) General George Brinton McClellan, General Simon Cameron (Secretary of War), Francois Ferdinand Philippe Louis Marie (Prince de Joinville), and Generals Samuel Heintzelman, Irvin McDowell, Wilson (possibly James Harrison Wilson), and Rufus King. Relates "When our dear little ones grow up to read the history of this great rebellion, it will be pleasant ... to be able to relate to them, yesterday's observations of the leading characters who helped to put it down."

Cowdin, Elliot Christopher, 1819-1880
Cowdin, Kate, fl. 1861
Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889
De Joinville, Francois Ferdinand Philippe Louis Marie, 1818-1900
Franklin, William Buel, 1823-1903
Heintzelman, Samuel Peter, 1805-1880
King, Rufus, 1814-1876
McClellan, George B., 1826-1885
McDowell, Irvin, 1818-1885
Newton, John, 1822-1895
Porter, Fitz-John, 1822-1901
Wilson, James Harrison, 1837-1925

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