Item No. 9833819

An April 30, 1863, autograph letter signed by Brigadier General Neal Dow at Carrollton, Louisiana, concerning “the accidental death of two of the men of the 165th N.Y. Vols.” Writing to Captain Wickham Hoffman of Major General Thomas W. Sherman’s staff, Dow reports that a board of inquiry had investigated the death of one soldier killed by a shell fragment from the U.S.S. Portsmouth, but no formal inquiry had been held into the death of another man killed “by the accidental falling of a stack of arms.” He notes that an inquiry could still be instituted if Sherman deemed it advisable. Dow signs the letter, “Neal Dow / Brig. Gen. / Command’g.”

A search of the 165th New York’s roster reveals two men “accidentally killed” at Carrollton at about that time. Private James Hoctor of Company E was killed on March 28, while Corporal Andrew Jackson of the same company was killed on March 31.

Prior to the Civil War, Neal Dow was a prominent temperance reformer from Portland, Maine. He served twice as mayor of Portland and helped secure passage of Maine’s landmark prohibition law in 1851. Appointed colonel of the 13th Maine Infantry in 1861, he served in the Gulf campaign and was promoted to brigadier general in April 1862. He commanded a brigade in Sherman’s 2nd Division during the Siege of Port Hudson. During the assault of May 27, 1863, he was wounded and captured. After more than eight months in captivity at Libby Prison in Richmond, he was exchanged for General Rooney Lee and resigned from the army in November 1864. Dow subsequently resumed his national temperance campaign and was the Prohibition Party’s presidential candidate in 1880.

The letter was written on both sides of a blue letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Creased where originally folded. The full transcript is at the bottom of the listing.

Accompanied by a period engraved portrait of Dow with his facsimile signature underneath.

Head Quarters
U.S. Forces at Carrollton
Apl. 30, 1863

Captain
I have the honor to acknowledge the rec’t. of your note in relation to the accidental death of two of the men of the 165th N.Y. Vols.

I have to say that the report of the Board of Inquiry into the circumstances of the death of him who was killed by a fragment of a shell from the U.S. Ship Portsmouth was forwarded to Head Quarters, but there was no formal inquiry into the particular circumstances of the death of him who was killed by the accidental falling of a stack of arms.

If the General should think it best, it is not too late to institute such an inquiry now.
Very Respectfully
Neal Dow
Brig. Gen.
Command’g

Capt. W. Hoffman
A.A. Gen.