MAJOR GENERAL OLIVER O. HOWARD - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/09/1888 - HFSID 149167

OLIVER O. HOWARD
Oliver O. Howard sends an autograph letter postponing breakfast with future San Francisco Mayor and setting up a later time to meet.
Autograph Letter Signed: "O.O. Howard," 3p, 5x8 (conjoining leaves). Headquarters Fort Mason, San Francisco, California, 1888 April 9. Howard writes to Mr. Adolph Sutro. In full: "When in the city my mornings are so taken up that I cannot easily get away,- Please do not try to arrange a breakfast for me - Immediately after my morning mail at this office I will have Miss Howard & Bessie pick me up & ride out to have a chat with you before I go away -getting to you about the time you have finished your breakfast. I am very grateful to you for all your kindness to me & mine. We each are trying to work out the plan of God in our lives -to make people better & happier because we live: so may He prosper us in our efforts and at the last bring us into his house of His Rest. It is from this great prophet, priest & King of your people that I have drawn the inspiration of my life. With much esteem I am sincerely your friend" Oliver O. Howard, the commander of the Army of the Tennessee in Sherman's march to the sea, lost his right arm at Fair Oaks and fought at Gettysburg. After the war, he directed the Freedman's Bureau, where he strongly advocated land and votes for former slaves.In 1867, he founded and served as first President of Howard University (1869-1874). He negotiated a peace agreement with Cochise's Chiricahua Apaches (1872) for President Grant. From 1881-1882, Brigadier General Howard was Superintendent at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Folds not near signature. Upper left corner missing. Lightly shaded. 1-½ tear on first page affecting three lines of writing. Otherwise, fine condition.