Coverdale, Robert Todd, fl. 1861-1890 to James William Denver
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03544 Author/Creator: Coverdale, Robert Todd, fl. 1861-1890 Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Coverdale, Lieutenant and Assistant Quartermaster for the Military Division of the Mississippi, replies to a letter from Union General Denver discussing the death of Frank Johns, a mutual acquaintance. Writes "The Army is a great school for finding out the faults and failings of Men much more so then it is in peaceful or private life. But I have never seen or heard of any man who questioned the integrity of ... Frank Johns..." In a lengthy post script, mentions the death of General James Birdseye McPherson in the 22 July 1864 Battle of Atlanta. Describes the Battle of Atlanta, stating "Shermans old Divisn Skedaddled [Your?] Old Division stood their ground like brave fellows... the Gray backs fought with desperation nothing on earth can exceed their bravery our works and overpowering numbers saved us..." Mentions Major McCoy and Generals John Murray Corse, Thomas William Sweeny, Oliver Otis Howard, Joseph Hooker, John Alexander Logan. Writes that Generals Hoovy (possibly Alvin Paterson Hovey), and Peter Joseph Osterhaus "left us in face of the Enemy with the comands in line of Battle... so much for Party and Politics It would have been considered cowardice in some to have left as they did before the Enemy Tecumsey is awful mad about it..." Written in the field near Atlanta on Head-Quarters, Military Division of the Mississippi stationery.
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