[Battle of Gettysburg]. John B. Bachelder: Two Autograph Letters Signed "Jno. B. Bachelder." In these two letters, John Bachelder (1825-1894), the preeminent nineteenth century historian and cartographer of the Battle of Gettysburg, is writing to General Thomas H. Ruger regarding his publication of a history of Gettysburg. The first, three integral pages, 5" x 8", New York, March 15, 1866, Bachelder writes to Ruger asking for a description of his part in the battle, in part: "Although I should be glad to see your official Report I should value a descriptive letter from you, of what you saw, very much more. I have Genl. Williams report, and I also have from him about one hundred pages of private manuscrip [sic] relating to the battle. I have the same from many of the generals . . . I hope you will favor me with a narrative of your observations." The second, two pages, 5.5" x 9", New York, April 11, 1867, Bachelder writes in response to Ruger's inquiry of the publication of his history, in part: "I will say that I am not able at present to fix any time for the issue of the work. I hardly think within the next year. . . . I have been waiting for Eighteen months to get extracts from the reports of the battle of Gettysburg captured with Richmond." Two bands of heavy toning crosses horizontally on the earlier letter and one runs vertically on the later.

With both original transmittal envelopes and a four page printed engraving request addressed to General Ruger asking for $150 to have a steel engraved portrait made for the book.