Horace Greeley Letter, 1865

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Horace Greeley Letter, Ms1994-024, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872
Abstract:
Letter from New-York Tribune editor Horace Greeley, written February 10, 1865, to New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton endorsing the application of Colonel L. W. Bradley (probably Leman W. Bradley, formerly of the 64th New York Infantry) for the post of commissary-general of ordnance (i.e., chief of ordnance) in the U. S. Army.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Horace Greeley Letter, Ms1994-024, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a letter written by Horace Greeley, editor of the New-York Tribune on February 10, 1865. Addressed to R. E. Fenton (New York Governor Reuben E. Fenton), the letter is written on Tribune letterhead, Greeley's letter endorses the application of Col. L. W. Bradley (probably Leman W. Bradley, formerly of the 64th New York Infantry) for the office of commissary-general of ordnance (i.e., chief of ordnance) in the U. S. Army. Accompanying the letter is a carte-de-visite of Horace Greeley.

Biographical / historical:

Horace Greeley, son of Zaccheus and Mary Woodburn Greeley, was born near Amherst, New Hampshire, on February 3, 1811. He was apprenticed to a printer in Vermont, rising from typesetter to journalist before leaving in 1831 for New York City, where he worked as a writer and editor for various publications and became active in politics. He married Mary Cheney in 1836; the couple would have five children. In 1841, Greeley founded the New-York Tribune, which became an influential voice for reform, temperance, and the abolition of slavery. He helped to found the Republican Party and was associated with the Radical Republicans during the Civil War and early Reconstruction. In 1872, he launched an unsuccessful presidential campaign as nominee of the fledgling Liberal Republican Party in opposition to President Ulysses S. Grant. Horace Greeley died in Pleasantville (Westchester County), New York, on November 29, 1872, and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Leman W. Bradley son of Leman and Nancy Everts Bradley, was born in Sharon (Litchfield County), Connecticut on March 6, 1820. In the 1850 federal census, he appears as a a 29-year-old trader, living in the Salisbury (Litchfield County), Connecticut home of Peter P. Everts. In 1854, Bradley married Katherine Livingston Northrup (1823-1892); the couple would have five children. The following year, the Bradleys moved to Hudson (Columbia County), New York, where Leman Bradley became a dealer in cutlery. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Bradley enlisted in Company K, 14th New York Infantry at Hudson and was mustered into service as a first lieutenant at Albany on May 17, 1861. He was honorably discharged for disability on September 24, 1861. After convalescing, Bradley joined Company H, 64th New York Infantry and was commissioned a first lieutenant on December 30, 1861. Promoted to captain on April 20, 1862, he was wounded in the arm at the Battle of Fair Oaks on June 1. He was promoted to major on July 12, and to lieutenant colonel on May 4, 1864. While acting as brigade commander at the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864, Bradley was again wounded. He was promoted to colonel (not mustered) on July 4, and mustered out at the expiration of his term of service on October 5, 1864. Following his military service, Bradley returned to his home and business in Hudson. By 1880, Bradley had retired, and by 1896, he was living in the Soldier's Home in Bath, New York. Leman W. Bradley died in Hudson on August 13, 1912, and was buried in the city's Cedar Park Cemetery.

Acquisition information:
The Horace Greeley Letter was purchasee by Special Collections and University Archives in 1994.
Processing information:

The processing and description of the Horace Greeley Letter commenced and was completed in October, 2023.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard