Rare Unpublished Letter by Lincoln on DC Defenses Set for Auction

After over a century and a half, a recently discovered letter from President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War has come to light. Nathan Raab, a collector of Civil War artifacts, intends to auction off the letter. According to Raab, there is no evidence to suggest that the letter has ever been published or offered for sale before. The Guardian states that this brief note holds great historical significance. Dated August 19, 1861, in the early stages of the war, the handwritten letter to Charles Ellet Jr. “fills in a part of the historical record that had been missing,” as stated by Raab.

In response to Ellet’s proposal to establish a civil engineer corps to fortify the capital against a potential Confederate attack, Lincoln, as commander-in-chief, voiced his thoughts. Although a corps already existed, Ellet suggested that a larger and better-funded force was necessary for the task. In the letter, Lincoln defers the decision to approve or disapprove of the proposal to Generals Scott, McClellan, and Totten, stating, “I am not capable to judge of the value of such a corps; but I would be glad to accept one if approved by Gen Scott, Gen McClellan & Gen Totten,” Lincoln wrote. “Please see them and get their views upon it.”

However, George McClellan declined to meet with Ellet, as he had previously served as an engineer in the corps before the war, according to the Corps of Engineers’ online history. After suffering a humiliating defeat in the Battle of Hampton Roads, Lincoln intervened and appointed Ellet as an army colonel, instructing him to initiate a construction program, as reported by the Guardian. Sadly, Ellet was killed after being shot during the Battle of Memphis. Raab emphasizes that Lincoln’s writings serve as a valuable learning experience, stating, “His letters are known for their great clarity and economy of words—never two where one would suffice.” (Interestingly, a lock of Lincoln’s hair once sold for $25,000.)