1874 Civil War Col Walter FRANKLIN Letter PA SMALL York

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1874 Civil War Col Walter FRANKLIN Letter PA SMALL York We obtained this piece from an estate clean-out located in Baltimore, Maryland. ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC LETTER DATED 1874 This is a super Antique item. It is an Original Authentic Letter Dated 1874 from Philip Albright Small (aka PA Small) to Colonel Walter Simonds Franklin Jr. Letter was written by Small in York, PA but we are not positive where it was sent. The letter is dated Sep. 28, 1874. Franklin and Small are brother-in-laws. PA Small's sister (Mary Small) married Franklin in 1821. This is the hardest letter to make out!!! I am finding the handwriting very hard to read. I've scanned the letter and you can enlarge the photo's. I hope someone out there can make sense of this letter. From what I can tell, it seems as if Small is telling Franklin of some travel plans??? Good luck... The letter is written on one sheet of paper. The letter contents is written on the front and the back. There is a small embossed stamp in the upper left-hand corner. The stamp is of the Capitol Building (Washington, DC) and has the word Congress under the building. The paper measures 5" x 8". The letter is in very good condition for it's age! The paper has held up very well. Nothing bad to mention!!! If you are not familiar with these two historic figures; just do a search on google and you' ll find lots of information about them! They are related to many famous historic military and political figures as well! Colonel Walter Simonds Franklin Jr. A Civil War veteran, he enlisted at the rank of 1st lieutenant with the 12th U.S. Inf on May 14, 1861. Assigned as regimental quartermaster from July 29, 1862, Feb 6, 1863, when he received promotion to captain. Brevetted major on October 19, 1864 for faithful and meritorious services in the field during the Richmond campaign and in the Shenandoah Valley. Brevetted to lieutenant colonel Apr 2, 1865, for meritorious services at the capture of Petersburg. He had been offered command of York's own 87th Pa Inf in late 1864 but refused the assignment at the last moment. Assigned as assistant inspector-general Mar 1 - July 8, 1865. Following the Civil War, he reverted to his permanent rank of captain and transferred to the 21st U.S. Inf on September 21, 1866, but as of June 24, 1869, was unassigned. Honorably discharged from the service September 30, 1870 at his request. Philip Albright Small and his brother Samuel were among the leading citizens of York, Pennsylvania, during the mid-19th century. They inherited mills, land, and wealth from their industrious father, George Small, who built the original mill on the Codorus Creek in Manchester Township. They owned comfortable homes in downtown York, were well respected by most of the citizenry, and well networked within both the social and business fabric of York County and the region. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the Small brothers were also known to the invading Confederate army. In fact, their mills were a particular target. P.A. Small played an important role in the Gettysburg Campaign in local history. Not only were his mills targeted by Jubal Early for their ability to feed his army, Small's downtown hardware store became the de facto headquarters for York's Committee of Safety as Gordon and Early's columns approached the area. Union Major Granville Haller was notified at Small's store that the townspeople wanted the militia gone, and would fend for themselves by surrendering the town and negotiating a peaceful occupation without military resistance. Small's daughters later witnessed a somewhat pompous speech by Rebel general Gordon in front of their house (now the Lafayette Club across Market Street from the Yorktowne Hotel; the latter was not built until the following century). PA Small married Sarah Bartow Latimer. Please see our pictures we've provide for additional details. We think any collector would love the addition of this piece! Selling in AS IS condition! As always, the... read more

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