A 1p autograph letter signed by former 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893), as "R. B. Hayes" at lower right. Written at Hayes's estate Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio on January 15, 1884. Expected wear including light toning and flattened paper folds. Isolated minor surface loss affecting the top verso, mentioned just for accuracy. Else near fine. 5.5" x 8.375."

Hayes wrote fellow Civil War veteran Major James L. Foley, who had commanded the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, in part: "Thanks for your kind favor of the 12th. I am his[--?] 'a little daft as it were' on the subject of songs on festive occasions. I dre[--?] speeches, and am uplifted by song. No doubt your perseverance is all that it should be. It so strikes me. I congratulate you for it…"

We suspect that the letter is linked to the shared Civil War military service of both Hayes and Foley. Rutherford B. Hayes was a 4x wounded Civil War veteran. He had enlisted in the spring of 1861 in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the Second Battle of Bull Run, as well as the Battles of South Mountain, Buffington Island, Second Kernstown, Berryville, Opequon Creek, and Cedar Creek. By the end of the Civil War, Hayes had been promoted to brevet major general. Major James L. Foley had served in the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, a Union regiment; Foley's reports regarding Richmond in 1863 are well-known. Foley had relocated to Ohio after the war and become a partner at the Hemingray Glass Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The letter could have related to the Ohio chapter of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a fraternal organization of Civil War veterans first established in the spring of 1865. In 1885, just a year after this letter was written, both Hayes and Foley appear among the names of officers of the Ohio chapter, or Ohio Commandery, as it was known; Hayes as Commander-in-Chief, and Foley as one of five council members and council chairman.

Rutherford B. Hayes served as president from 1877 to 1881.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!