Item No. 2571991

In this postwar letter from 1882, General Oliver O. Howard writes to General Samuel W. Crawford to send his regrets upon evidently having been invited to a reunion at Gettysburg. While Howard states that he cannot attend due to his attending a similar event in Maine, the general—whose 11th Corps defended Gettysburg along with the 1st Corps on the first day’s battle—writes in a postscript:

I cannot find the shadow of a record where I ever did injustice to the 1st Corps on the first day of the battle. I have uniformly spoken and written as warmly in its praise as language would allow me to do. The lack of detail in my report was due to want of reports made to me.
O.O.H.

The letter was secretarially written, but was signed by Howard using his full name and rank on the first page, then again using initials on the reverse. The paper exhibits some moderate toning and light foxing. The horizontal centerfold is weak and was previously reinforced on the reverse with tape. The document measures 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” and was written upon attractive letterhead for the Department of West Point. Full transcript below.

Headquarters, Department of West Point.
United States Military Academy.
West Point, N.Y.  Mch 24 1882

General S. W. Crawford
Gettysburg, Pa.

My dear General
I am much obliged for your kind invitation.

Nothing could delight me more than to be with you at Gettysburg on that day, but I have already engaged to go to Maine for a similar occasion.

With kind remembrances and a hope that you may enjoy the reminiscences which the memorable field will bring to you anew.
I remain
Every yours truly
O. O. Howard
Bvt. Major General U.S.A.

P.S. I cannot find the shadow of a record where I ever did injustice to the 1st Corps on the first day of the battle. I have uniformly spoken and written as warmly in its praise as language would allow me to do. The lack of detail in my report was due to want of reports made to me.
O.O.H.