Three page ALS from Colonel Edward Hatch of the 9th US Cavalry ("Buffalo Soldiers") to the widow of one of his officers, Major Clarence Mauck. Here is a transcript:
Santa Fe N.M.
March 29, 1881.
My dear Mrs. Mauck
Lieut. Stedman remitted to you the amount of ambulance to San Antonio. It was sold after many attempts, regret it brought so little new wagons are offered so low it is difficult to sell any once used.
You have the sincere sympathy of the entire Regiment it is known to us all that the major sacrificed his life to exposure during late winter campaigns. His health was such in his last he could easily avoided it, remained purely through a sense of soldierly duty. If anything occurs officially requiring appreciation of the major's services, and causes leading to his death, you can rely upon every assistance from the Army.
Mrs. Hatch is pleased to learn the _______ are friends of yours. We have always admired the family going back many years.
Very truly yours.
Edward Hatch.
Bvt Maj Genl
Mrs Clarence Mauck
Conshocken Penn.
Boldly written in period ink, the letter has some paper loss on center fold, affecting nothing.
$295.00 plus shipping
"Edward Hatch was born in Bangor, Maine, on December 22, 1832. He studied at Norwich University, in Vermont; then became a lumber dealer in Iowa; and was, at one point, a merchant seaman. In 1861, he became captain of the 2d Iowa Cavalry. After serving at Island No. 10 and in the 1862 spring campaign to Corinth, Mississippi; he led a brigade in the Battle of Corinth, then in Grierson's Raid. Wounded in 1863, he commanded the cavalry depot in St. Louis, Missouri while he was recovering. Hatch was promoted to brigadier general to rank from April 27, 1864. He served in Memphis, Tennessee; north Mississippi and Middle Tennessee. Assigned to a division in Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson's cavalry, he led troops in the Franklin and Nashville Campaign, ending his combat service there. He left the volunteer service in January of 1866, but stayed in the army. Commissioned colonel of the 9th US Cavalry, he led the Department of the Southwest briefly. His dealings with Native Americans included disputing a reservation treaty with the Ute Indians, and trying unsuccessfully to pursue Mescalero Apache Chief Victorio in his escape from government land. Hatch was brevetted a brigadier and major general in the Regular Army, in recognition for his wartime service. He died on April 11, 1889, at Fort Robinson, Nebraska."
