(1819 - 1901) Union major general who commanded the Army of the Potomac during the final year of the war. Fine content A.L.S., 6pp. 4to., Forest Glen, MD, July 25, 1887, a ‘true copy’ entirely in his hand of a letter sent Oct. 13, 1864, to a Maj. C. S. Whittier, providing a ‘...report of the part taken by the 2d Division, 6th Corps in the operations against Richmond Va. from May to July 1864…’, primarily the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. In very small part: ‘...On the night of the 7th of May, the Corps moved through Chancellorsville & Piney church to secure Spotsylvania Court House… In conjunction with the 5th Corps an immediate, but unsuccessful attack was made on the position of the Enemy. This Division held the left of the line, and after the repulse, fell back to where the lines were first formed and entrenched. There was some skirmishing and Artillery firing on the 9th and the entrenchments were strengthened. On the afternoon of the 10th, the 3d Brigade and three Regiments of the 2d… were ordered to report to Colonel [Emory] Upton, & took part in a charge made by twelve Regiments… The attack was partially successful. The first and second lines of the Enemy’s works were carried and some 1200 prisoners taken, but our forces were at length compelled to retire. The order to withdraw failed to reach the… Regiments until late at night, until which time they stubbornly held the first line of works taken, and repulsed every attack of the Enemy… The Division was withdrawn from the front line on the afternoon of the 11th… to the support of Hancock’s Corps (2d)… The Enemy had recovered from their surprise and were making desperate efforts to regain their lost ground, when this Division reached the scene of action, and was at once put in at the point known as the Angle near the center of the line engaged. This appeared the key-point to this position and for sixteen hours was the object of attack after attack by the enemy…’ Much more very interesting detail besides. Getty executes his name once at the conclusion in reproducing his signature on the original letter, adding his wartime rank ‘Brig Genl Comdg 2d Division’, and signs again’Geo. W. Getty’ in black ink at bottom left, adding his contemporary rank ‘Bvt Maj Genl U. S. A. Late in Command 2d Div 6th Corps’. Shows original mailing folds, faintly toned, with a pin hole to all pages at upper left and tape marks to the right edge of the final page, otherwise in very good to fine overall condition.