Two Typed Letters Signed

Washington DC, 1892. Very good. Both letters signed "W. S. Rosencrans" on linen stationary. First letter dated Sept. 12 has (mite) holes along the right margin an edge, fade and shadow from being overlaid by another document. Second letter is near fine with only incidental edge aging and previous seller note in pencil. Both letters have three fold lines into six sections. Rosencrans is responding to an invitation to attend the Columbus Day Celebration in Slatington, PA.<br /> <br /> William Strake Rosecrans, "Old Rosy" (1819 - 1898) graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1842 and served in a series of engineering assignments through 1854 when he left the military and become a senior executive and inventor in the coal and oil industry. He was an outspoken and adversarial Major General with a rising star in the Union during the Civil War until his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863 when he was relieved by U. S. Grant. In 1880 was elected to Congress, representing California. "To avoid misunderstanding and incurring the reputation of being a youth altogether too promising,I write to say it is with much regret that I shall not be able to be present at your celebration. Very truly yours /s/ W. S. Rosencrans.