(1816-1892) Union brigadier general and quartermaster general whose responsibilities included overseeing railroad, ship, and wagon transportation for the army. Instrumental in the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery. Very fine content and association A.L.S., 1p. 4to., [n.p., Feb. 1864], a copy entirely in Meigs’ hand of an Oct. 29, 1863 letter to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, describing the aftermath of the Battle of Wauhatchie, near Chattanooga. In full: ‘Last night the Eleventh corps nobly entered upon this critical campaign. Gen [John W.] Geary some four miles up the Lookout valley being attacked by Longstreet the Eleventh corps about one oclock marched to his aid. Passing two steep wooded hills about one hundred and fifty feet in height they received a volley from a rebel force which had occupied & entrenched their new units after dark. Four regiments assaulted each hill and without firing a shot steadily advanced by the light of the moon and drove the rebels out of their rifle pits and down the other slope of the hills. Thirty one dead soldiers attest the difficulty of the assault and the valor & steadiness of the troops which in a sudden night attack accomplished one of the most brilliant feats of the campaign. Only after walking over the ground today did I fully appreciate the exploit. These hills taken they marched to assistance of Gen Geary who had held his position & Longstreet was driven back with slaughter. As prisoners from two divisions attest that his whole disposable force was engaged the whole affair is most creditable to those troops from the army of the Potomac.’ He boldly signs ‘M C Meigs’ at the conclusion in black ink, adding his rank ‘Quarter Master General U. S. A.’ Shows original mailing folds, otherwise in fine condition overall. Sold with a second piece, which provides important context: a letter from a Mrs. Amos Binney, 1p. 8vo., [n.p., Feb. 20, 1864], on the verso of a printed leaflet announcing the appointment of the national committee for the Maryland State Fair, to be held at Baltimore in April, 1864, for the benefit of the U. S. Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Mrs. Binney writes to Meigs to request that he submit a copy, in his hand and with his signature, of ‘...a characteristic or important official Order or Report…’ On the overleaf, a clerk adds a notation summarizing the request, below which Meigs adds a pencil notation: ‘Mr Wolfe let me have the report [of] Geary from Battle in Lookout Valley’, signing with his initials ‘M C M’. Two signed pieces. Sold with a period frontispiece engraving of Meigs.