Item No. 6307054

This letter was written in September 1864 by Lieutenant Valentine H. Voorhees of the 13th New York Heavy Artillery, and was subsequently endorsed and signed by Union Generals Innis N. Palmer and Edward Harland. Writing from aboard the gunboat Reno on North Carolina’s Neuse River, Voorhees seeks clarification about his commission in the 13th, indicating that the regiment’s Colonel William A. Howard had appointed him a “2nd Lieutenant for Gun Boat Service.” Seemingly without an actual commission from his state, Voorhees writes that Colonel Howard issued him a certificate “to the effect that I had served on board this vessel since the 1st of March as Acting Second Lieutenant,” but that later the mustering officer wouldn’t recognize the document “because I had nothing to show from Adjt. Genl. Sprague,” referring to John T. Sprague, adjutant general of New York. Receiving no word from Sprague or Howard, he writes, Voorhees hopes “that some justice may be done me.”

The reverse of the letter is docketed. It is endorsed and signed first by Brigadier General Edward Harland, who earlier in the war had led a brigade at Antietam and Fredericksburg. It is signed next by Brigadier General Innis N. Palmer, above whose signature a staff officer writes that “if this person is entitled to a commission in this organization, it may be sent him.”

New York State records show that Voorhees was an unassigned officer of the 13th, and was officially commissioned second lieutenant two weeks later on September 16, 1864.

The letter is in very good condition with light foxing and toning. Creased at the original folds and a bit fragile with some separation along the center fold. Measures about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. The transcript of Voorhees’s letter follows:

U.S. Army Gun Boat “Reno”
On Picket, Neuse River, N.C.
Sept. 2nd 1864

Sir
Permit me to address you a few lines for the purpose of letting you know the position in which I am placed in this service. On the 1st day of last March I received an appointment from Col. Wm. A. Howard, 13th N.Y.S. Vol. Artly. as 2nd Lieutenant for Gun Boat Service. On the 10th of last May I received from him a certified certificate to the effect that I had served on board this vessel since the 1st of March as Acting Second Lieutenant. I took this certificate to the Mustering Officer who refused to muster me in because I had nothing to show from Adjt. Genl. Sprague. On the 29th of June I went by permission to Colonel Howard at Norfolk, Va., who sent a request to Genl. Sprague for my commission, since which date I have not heard either from Genl. Sprague or Colonel Howard. I have lately sent two letters to Col. Howard respectfully requesting to know if anything had been heard of my commission, but I cannot get an answer. I now most respectfully refer my case to you, hoping that some justice may be done me.
I have the honor to remain, Sir,
Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,
Valentine H. Voorhees
Acting 2nd Lieut. 13th N.Y.S. Artly.

To
Capt. J. A. Judson
A.A. Genl.
District of North Carolina
New Berne, N.C.