1863 Civil War Hand Written Letter Of Resignation By Captain 25th Iowa Infantry
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:49869005 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Theme: Militaria |
| Conflict: Civil War (1861-65) |
Offered is a Hand Written 1863 Civil War Letter of Resignation by Captain John Allison Smith, Company B, 25th Iowa Infantry, while he was serving at Millekens Bend, Louisiana. On June 7, 1863 a major Civil War battle would be fought at that site during the Vicksburg Campaign. Smith's resignation would become official just three days prior on June 3, 1863. The letter is as follows.
Millekens Bend April 27, 1863Col.I hereby respectfully tender my resignation as Captain of ...Company B twenty fifth Iowa Infantry immediate and unconditional, assigning as a reason therefor the following facts.1st. I feel that no man ought to remain as Captain of a Company who is physically incapable of discharging the duties of said officer . I have not been able to drill my company for the last four months and have little prospect that I will be able for the next four to come.2nd. I feel that I have no right to receive my country's money not being able to render an equivalent therefor my time and whole energies I have not done one day's duty for four months.3rd. I feel that I should not remain two most deserving lieutenants and promotion to whose industry and energy the Company owes its present status of discipline.4th. I am forty-eight years of age. Twenty-three of these years have been spent in the school room. My calling and early habits have rendered me absolutely unable to endure the hardships of army life. Added to this I have no teeth with which to eat hard crackers and hence on long journeys I must suffer. I am also troubled with piles and cannot possibly travel with my command.5th. Every days expenses for the last eight months has served to teach me more clearly that I was not designed for a military calling: that I can serve my country better in the school room. I hereby certify on honor what I have turned over to my successor in office all Government property in my possession, and that I am not indebted to the Government on any account, that I have not been absent from my command without proper authority since last paid and that I was last paid by Major Walker to include the twenty-eighth(28) of February A.D. 1863.Very Respectfully Colonel, Your obedient servant. J.Allison Smith.Lieut Col. Jns A. RawlinsAsst Adj Genl. Dept. TennesseeMillikens Bend, Louisana.The letter measures 8 inches by 10 inches in size. It is sound. Please see my images. Buyer pays USPS First Class Parcel shipping.
Millekens Bend April 27, 1863Col.I hereby respectfully tender my resignation as Captain of ...Company B twenty fifth Iowa Infantry immediate and unconditional, assigning as a reason therefor the following facts.1st. I feel that no man ought to remain as Captain of a Company who is physically incapable of discharging the duties of said officer . I have not been able to drill my company for the last four months and have little prospect that I will be able for the next four to come.2nd. I feel that I have no right to receive my country's money not being able to render an equivalent therefor my time and whole energies I have not done one day's duty for four months.3rd. I feel that I should not remain two most deserving lieutenants and promotion to whose industry and energy the Company owes its present status of discipline.4th. I am forty-eight years of age. Twenty-three of these years have been spent in the school room. My calling and early habits have rendered me absolutely unable to endure the hardships of army life. Added to this I have no teeth with which to eat hard crackers and hence on long journeys I must suffer. I am also troubled with piles and cannot possibly travel with my command.5th. Every days expenses for the last eight months has served to teach me more clearly that I was not designed for a military calling: that I can serve my country better in the school room. I hereby certify on honor what I have turned over to my successor in office all Government property in my possession, and that I am not indebted to the Government on any account, that I have not been absent from my command without proper authority since last paid and that I was last paid by Major Walker to include the twenty-eighth(28) of February A.D. 1863.Very Respectfully Colonel, Your obedient servant. J.Allison Smith.Lieut Col. Jns A. RawlinsAsst Adj Genl. Dept. TennesseeMillikens Bend, Louisana.The letter measures 8 inches by 10 inches in size. It is sound. Please see my images. Buyer pays USPS First Class Parcel shipping.
