Civil War Auction
Lot 1028:
Description
Handwritten autographed letter by James B. Ricketts, Union Brigadier General, US Volunteers. This particular letter is dated March 22nd, 1862, in Washington DC. President Abraham Lincoln appointed Ricketts a Brigadier General of Volunteers to rank, from July 21st 1861. Ricketts was nominated for the promotion by the President on March 27th 1862 and it wasn’t until April 28th, 1862, that the US Senate confirmed his appointment. His request to his tailor read: “Please make me a uniform coat for Brigadier General. I shall send… my single-breasted coat to be altered for the same rank.” Vertical acknowledgement in the center vertically states “received March 24th, 1862.” James Ricketts was a career officer and was ranked 16th in a class of 31 at the United States Military Academy in 1839. He was married twice, and his first wife Harriet Pierce, was the niece of future President Franklin Pierce. They had one child-a daughter. Harriet died in 1854 and he married Frances Lawrence, with whom he had two children. Ricketts saw considerable action during the Mexican–American War, participating in the Battle of Monterrey, and as commander of a gun, along with Abner Doubleday, held the Rinconada Pass during the Battle of Buena Vista. Following his return from Mexico, Ricketts served in various army posts. He was promoted to captain in August 1853 and served in Florida against the Seminole Indians, and subsequently on frontier duty in Texas. At the start of the civil war he served in the defenses of Washington DC and commanded an artillery battery capturing confederate held Alexandria, VA. Wounded and captured at first bull run he was later exchanged. He fired at second bull run and antietam where he was injured when his horse fell on him. While he was recovering he served on the General Fitz John Porter court martial and that ended up costing him his promotion due to its highly political nature. Later he commanded a division in the overland campaign and was wounded in the chest at cedar creek that disabled him for life. Letter measures 7-7/8” x 5-1/4”
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