BRIGADIER GENERAL J. N. PATTERSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/16/1903 - HFSID 87260

GENERAL J. N. PATTERSON
American Civil War General J. N. Patterson wrote this letter in 1903 to accept an appointment to a committee to erect a statue in memory of General Joseph Hooker.
Autograph letter signed "J. N. Patterson". Orange pencil mark in top right corner in unknown hand. 1 page, 8x10, docketed on verso. Concord, New Hampshire, May 16, 1903. Addressed to Captain Isaac, P. Gragg, "Secretary &c.". In full: "My dear Captain - I accept with pleasure the appointment on the General Committee at Dedication of Hooker Statue. Kindly inform me when I can be of service Very Truly & Sincerely,". There is an equestrian statue of Union Major General JOSEPH HOOKER (1848-1879) outside Boston's Massachusetts State House; it was created in 1903 by sculptors Daniel Chester French and Edward C. Potter. Union officer J. N. PATTERSON may not have known what he was getting into when he joined New Hampshire's Second Regiment during the American Civil War. The Second Regiment was the state's longest-serving volunteer regiment, serving from the First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) until the fall of Richmond (April 2, 1865), and suffering heavy casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 to July 3, 1863). Patterson was commissioned a first lieutenant on June 4, 1861, the day the regiment was mustered in, and stayed with them until Richmond was taken. He fought in a total of 24 engagements and rose to the rank of colonel, with a brevet rank of brigadier general. After the war, Patterson was chosen to a committee to construct a Second Regiment memorial at Gettysburg, which was dedicated on July 2, 1886. Lightly toned and creased. Show-through from docket and ink transference, which touches letter but not signature. Otherwise in fine condition.