[AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM COMMANDER TIMOTHY MONROE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS 8th MILITIA REGIMENT TO PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, REQUESTING NEW UNIFORMS FOR HIS TROOPS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR, WITH LINCOLN'S FIVE-LINE ENDORSEMENT AND SIGNATURE]

Washington, D.C., April 1861.. [1]p. on a folded folio sheet of "Thirty- Sixth Congress House of Representatives" illustrated letterhead. Plus integral blank, docketed and with a four-line note in an unknown hand on the fourth page, as well as Lincoln's signature and five-line autograph endorsement. Two old horizontal folds. One small nick to right edge of both leaves, small contemporary ink stains. Near fine. An excellent Lincoln signature and autograph endorsement from the earliest days of the Civil War, on an interesting letter relating the efforts to keep the U.S.S. Constitution from falling into Confederate hands.

Commander Timothy Monroe of the 8th Massachusetts Militia Regiment writes President Lincoln on a piece of House Representatives letterhead, with a manuscript date of "April, 1861." Monroe relates "that the troops under his command, have by the most severe labor, in rescuing the Frigate Constitution from the hands of the secessionists, and by repairing the Rail Road from Anapolis [sic] to the junction, including the bridges &c. completely destroyed their uniforms, the only clothing with which they left Massachusetts and that by so doing they are in a condition not appropriate to appear on public parade." Monroe requests that all his troops "officers excepted" be provided with a fatigue dress "or such other dress as will meet their wants." Lincoln was moved to action by Monroe's request, and writes on the integral blank: "Will the War Department please see that the within made request be complied with? A. Lincoln."

At the outbreak of the Civil War in mid- April 1861, members of the 8th Massachusetts earned the distinction of being the first to arrive in Boston after the President's proclamation, less than a day after the call for troops went out. At that time the U.S.S. Constitution was stationed at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and in response to threats from the South and southern sympathizers in the city, several Massachusetts volunteer regiments were sent to secure the Naval Academy and rescue "Old Ironsides" from secessionist hands. As related by Commander Monroe, the Massachusetts troops were successful, but at the cost of their uniforms.

An engaging letter from the early days of the war, with five manuscript lines and the signature of President Lincoln.