Newly found Civil War letter by Abraham Lincoln uncovered.

A Newly Discovered Letter from President Abraham Lincoln Sheds Light on Civil War Strategy

A recently recovered letter from President Abraham Lincoln during the early part of the Civil War has captivated historians and collectors alike. The Raab Collection auction house announced the discovery, revealing fascinating insights into Lincoln’s wartime strategy and his relationship with one of his generals.

The letter, which had been part of a private collection for over a century, was acquired by Raab earlier this year. It was addressed to Union Army Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., a renowned civil engineer. In the correspondence, Lincoln discusses the proposal for a Civil Engineer Corps and seeks the opinions of prominent generals.

Unpublished Abraham Lincoln letter detailing Civil War strategy discovered https://t.co/c99AMU2FNT pic.twitter.com/29gRjuyLDl

— The Messenger (@TheMessenger) July 5, 2023

Dated August 19, 1861, the letter provides valuable insights into Lincoln’s efforts to protect Washington, D.C., using the scientific knowledge available at the time. It also highlights the strained relationship between the president and General McClellan.

According to Raab, the letter was delivered to General McClellan’s home, but he refused to meet with Colonel Ellet, which the auction house describes as a “snub” to the president. This discovery sheds light on McClellan’s mistreatment of Lincoln.

The letter also reveals Colonel Ellet’s proposal to build steam-powered ram ships to protect ports in the North and disrupt Confederate supply chains. Lincoln advises Ellet to seek the opinions of Generals Winfield Scott, James Totten, and George McClellan on the matter.

In 1862, when Union ships were destroyed by the Confederate ironclad CSS Merrimack, the generals would come to realize the merit of Ellet’s advice.

Today, this rare find is valued at $85,000 and is available for sale at Raab Collections. Abraham Lincoln’s autographs and historical documents are highly sought after by collectors due to their clarity and economy of words.

Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr.: A Remarkable Civil Engineer

Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., born in Pennsylvania in 1810, played a significant role in the Battle of Memphis. He commanded two ram ships that engaged eight Confederate ironclads. Tragically, Ellet was shot during the battle and passed away two weeks later at the age of 52. His body lay in state under the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.