1864 Civil War letter from Brigadier General John White Geary to Hon John Covode For Sale

This is a Civil War letter from Brigadier General John White Geary to Hon. John Covode, written from Headquarters, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, at Bridgeport, Alabama, on July 19, 1864.

Transcription:

Hd. Qrs. 2nd Div. 12th A.C.

Bridgeport, Ala.

July 19th 1864

Hon. John Covode

Dear Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your truly welcome letter of the 8th instant, relative to the affairs at Washington City and certain publications.

I trust you will accept, as an installment upon the indebtedness I owe you, the earnest assurances of my warmest thanks for your kindness.

In my opinion an occasional reminder at the White House will be of essential service, particularly about the 15th of March or afterwards.

I think if the President knew how faithfully I have sustained him under every circumstance he would not hesitate to give my claims a proper recognition.

Please push the Ball along when

(continued on reverse/page 2)

you can do so. And rest assured that it will always be my first pleasure fully to reciprocate in any manner which circumstances or opportunity may afford.

Very Truly

Your friend & Obdt. Servant

Jno. W. Geary

Significance:

This is a substantive political-military letter.

• Writer: Brig. Gen. (later Maj. Gen.) John White Geary (1819–1873) was one of the more prominent Union division commanders. A Pennsylvania native (Westmoreland County, same region as Covode), he had already been mayor of San Francisco, territorial governor of Kansas, and a Mexican War veteran. In the Civil War he commanded the 2nd Division of the 12th Corps (later 20th Corps), fought at Gettysburg (Culp’s Hill), Lookout Mountain, and other major actions, and would go on to become Governor of Pennsylvania (1867–1873). 

Context: Written from Bridgeport, Alabama — a key Union supply and rail hub on the Tennessee River during the Atlanta Campaign / Chattanooga operations. Geary is thanking Covode for political support in Washington, discussing “affairs at Washington City and certain publications,” and explicitly asking Covode to lobby President Lincoln on his behalf for recognition/promotion around mid-March.

Relationship: Both men were Pennsylvania Republicans. Covode was a Radical Republican congressman with influence; Geary is clearly cultivating that influence for advancement while offering reciprocal political loyalty.

It is a classic example of Civil War-era political networking between a field general and a congressman.

John White Geary (December 30, 1819 – February 8, 1873) was an American lawyer, engineer, politician, Freemason, and Union major general in the Civil War. He is best known as the last alcalde and first mayor of San Francisco, territorial governor of Kansas during “Bleeding Kansas,” and the 16th governor of Pennsylvania.



Early Life and Career

Geary was born near Mount Pleasant in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh area), to Richard Geary (an ironmaster and schoolmaster of Scotch-Irish descent) and Margaret White. He stood about 6 feet 5½–6 inches tall and weighed around 260 pounds. He attended Jefferson College (now Washington & Jefferson College) in Canonsburg, studying civil engineering and law, and graduated in 1841 after interruptions caused by his father’s death and family debts.



He worked as a teacher, store clerk, surveyor, and civil engineer. He served as assistant superintendent and then superintendent of motive power for the Allegheny Portage Railroad. He also organized a local militia company called the American Highlanders.



Mexican-American War

At the outbreak of the war, Geary became lieutenant colonel (later colonel) of the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. He participated in Winfield Scott’s campaign toward Mexico City, including the assault on Chapultepec, and later served in a military governing role related to Mexico City.



California

In 1849, President James K. Polk appointed him postmaster of San Francisco (and general mail agent for the Pacific Coast). He was elected the city’s last alcalde (a Spanish-era municipal and judicial office) and then its first mayor after California statehood in 1850. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1852 due to his first wife’s illness.



Kansas Territory

In July 1856, President Franklin Pierce appointed him territorial governor of Kansas amid the violent “Bleeding Kansas” conflicts over slavery. He arrived in September 1856 and worked energetically to restore order, achieving a period of relative calm. Facing a proslavery legislature and limited support from the incoming Buchanan administration, he resigned in March 1857 (some accounts note he left under threat). Geary County, Kansas, was later named in his honor.



Civil War

When the Civil War began, Geary raised the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry (an oversized regiment that included an independent artillery battery) and was commissioned colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1862 and later to major general of volunteers. He was wounded (including at Cedar Mountain) and saw action at places including Bolivar Heights, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (where his division helped defend Culp’s Hill and protect the Baltimore Pike), the Chattanooga campaign, the Atlanta Campaign, and Sherman’s March to the Sea. He commanded the “White Star” Division of the XX Corps. In late 1864 he was appointed military governor of Savannah, Georgia. One of his sons was killed at the Battle of Wauhatchie.



Governor of Pennsylvania

Running as a Republican (after earlier Democratic affiliations), Geary was elected governor in 1866 and served two terms from January 15, 1867, to January 21, 1873. He was among the first Civil War generals elected to the office. His administration oversaw economic growth, significant reduction of state debt, and support for a constitutional convention aimed at curbing lobbyist influence. 

Personal Life and Death

Geary married Margaret Ann Logan (who died in 1853); they had several sons. He later married Mary (Church) Henderson. He died of a heart attack on February 8, 1873, in Harrisburg—less than three weeks after leaving office—while preparing breakfast for an infant son. He was 53 and is buried in Harrisburg Cemetery. A statue of him as a general stands at Gettysburg.