Gen. J. Garfield Rare War-Date Letter to Gen. E. Hitchcock 

James A. Garfield (1831-1881). Autograph Letter Signed, “J. A. Garfield”, 1p, 5" x 8", March 17, 1864. To Major General Ethan A. Hitchcock (1798-1870). Expected mailing folds. Minor toning with a few scattered spots. In fine condition. 

Garfield's letter, in full: "I enclose you some papers in the case of young McConkey - I had mislaid them & hence my delay in forwarding. I hope the way may be open for the young man's release." 

The subject of this letter, "young McConkey", may have been Alexander McConkey of Ohio, who is listed as "Held at Andersonville and survived" in the National Park Service's Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Prisoner Database. McConkey enlisted in the 21st Ohio Infantry in 1861 and was captured in Chickamauga, Georgia on September 20, 1863. He was paroled and mustered out January 24, 1865 at Columbus, Ohio.

Hitchcock served as Commissioner for Prisoner of War Exchange and then Commissary-General of Prisoners from November 1862 through the Civil War's end. The largest of the military prisons was Andersonville, also known as Camp Sumter, in Andersonville, Georgia, where more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined. 

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.

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