ERASTUS CORNING - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 03/28/1862 - HFSID 182598

ERASTUS CORNING
Erastus Corning wrote this war-dated letter from Washington, D. C. in 1862 to a Provost Marshall, asking him to allow the bearer, one of Corning's friend, to travel to the south side of the Potomac River. During the American Civil War, this meant travelling from the Union into the Confederacy.
Autograph letter signed "Erastus Corning". Black ink notations at top edge in unknown hand. 1 page, 5x8. Washington, D. C. March 28, 1862. Addressed to General A. Porter, Provost Marshall. In full: "There willbe handed to you bymy friend A C Turning Esq who wishes a pass for the South Side of the Potomac &c - you will oblige me by giving [sic] it too [sic] him Yours Very Respectfully". The Potomac River forms most of the border between Maryland, which sided during the Union during the American Civil War, and Virginia, which sided with the Confederate States of America. Crossing to "the South Side of the Potomac &c" thus meant travelling into Virginia, the Confederacy and enemy territory. Corning (1794-1872, born in Norwich, Connecticut) had been elected as one of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad Company's thirteen original directors and was its first and only President, serving for 20 years until it was incorporated into the New York Central in 1853. He then served as New York Central's first President until 1864. Lightly toned and creased. Ink notations touch handwriting but not signature. Neatly torn from notebook or pad at left edge. Folded twice horizontally and once vertically and unfolded. Lightly discolored along vertical fold. Otherwise in fine condition.