MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT C. SCHENCK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/07/1864 - HFSID 79689

ROBERT SCHENCK
Returned to Congress from the battlefield, Schenck signs an autograph letter instructing The Daily Globe to send copies of Congressional proceedings to four Ohio newspapers.
Autograph Letter signed: "Robt. C. Scheck" as US Representative, 2 pages (front and verso), 5x8. No place, 1864 December 7. To "Publishers of the Daily Globe, Washington". In full: Send the Daily Globe for this session to the following newspapers, direct by mail: Daily Journal, Dayton, Ohio; Western Star, Lebanon, Ohio; Telegraph, Hamilton, Ohio; Register, Eaton, Ohio; and deduct these four copies from the number of bound copies to which I shall be entitled at the close of the session. Respectfully". Robert Schenck (1809-1890) served as U.S. Representative from Ohio (1843-1851, 1863-1871), and U.S. Minister to Brazil (as well as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, 1851-1853). Despite having no prior military experience, Schenck proved a capable general in early engagements of the Civil War, until he resigned to take his seat in Congress, having beaten notorious "Copperhead" Democrat Clement Vallandingham. He failed of re-election by three votes in 1870. Appointed Minister to the United Kingdom by President Grant, he popularized draw poker in that country, later writing a book on the subject, but he soiled his reputation by lending his name to an unsound mining investment scheme. Robert Schenk's brother, John F. Schenck, was a US Navy rear admiral. The Daily Globe was the journal of record for Congressional proceedings, the forerunner of the modern Congressional Record. Multiple mailing folds. Lightly toned and creased. Corners and edges lightly worn. Otherwise fine condition.