MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM S. "OLD ROSY" ROSECRANS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 04/18/1882 - HFSID 251821

GENERAL WILLIAM S. "OLD ROSY" ROSECRANS
William Starke Rosecrans wrote this letter on House of Representatives stationery in 1882, while he was a U. S. Congressman from California, asking the recipient to tell his nephew "what number of vacancies in the line will result" from the passage of a bill.
Autograph letter signed "WS Rosecrans". Pencil notations in unknown hand on mounting card. 1 page, 4¾x7¼, ruled paper, on House of Representatives stationery. Mounted to a 6½x9¼ card. April 18, 1882. Addressed to the Honorable George W. Stule. My old friend O. A. Nismuth nephew of the ex Sen ator [sic] is desirous of learning what number of vacancies in the line will result from the passage of the Compulsory [illegible] Bill in '[illegible]'. Wont [sic] you please tell him and oblige your friend". William S. "Old Rosy" Rosecrans (1819-1898) graduated West Point in 1842 and entered the Army Corps of Engineers. He left the Army in 1854 and worked as a civil engineer and architect, but volunteered for duty when the Civil War broke out. Rosecrans was commissioned a Brigadier General in June 1861 and became Commander for Western Virginia. His first victory, at Rich Mountain in July 1861, helped create the state of West Virginia. Rosecrans' skills in fortifications, troop movement and supply lines led to success in 1862, but in September 1863 he met defeat at Chickamauga. Rosecrans, popular with troops and fondly called "Old Rosy", was relieved of command after Chickamauga, and he resigned from the Army in March 1867. His engineering expertise led to a post as Minister to Mexico. Rosecrans later served as U.S. Congressman from California (1881-1885). Lightly toned and rippled. Pen skipped while writing address, but not signature. Otherwise in fine condition.