WILLIAM H. FORNEY

WILLIAM H. FORNEY
(1823 - 1894) Confederate brigadier general, left badly wounded on the field at Gettysburg and captured, later exchanged and fought up to and at Appomattox. A.L.S. on Gettysburg Battlefield Commission letterhead as a member of that commission, 1p. 4to., Gettysburg, Oct. 30, 1893, to a 'Colonel Nicholson' of the War Department, probably the Commission's Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel JOHN P. NICHOLSON (1842-1922). Sent during the planning stage of the national park, the letter forwards a deed (not present) for the War Department's approval that would '...be used by our commission in the purchase of rights of way for the Avenues along the battle lines...' While Gettysburg Battlefield National Park officially opened in 1895, federal acquisition of the surrounding land began in June 1893 - just months before this letter was written. Forney signs 'Wm. H. Forney' at the conclusion. Fine. Light folds, else near mint condition.