Autograph letter signed by Louis Blenker, as General of 8th New York Infantry. Camp Blenker near Washington, D.C., 15 June 1861. 2 pages, 4to, 7 ½ x 9 ½ in., on illustrated “1st German Rifle Regiment” letterhead. Docketed to verso. 

WITH Full-length albumen CDV studio portrait of Louis Blenker in uniform as Brigadier General. [Washington, D.C.]: Mathew Brady, [1861]. Brady imprint to recto and verso. “Blenker” written on verso. Earles’ Galleries & Looking Glass Ware Rooms label affixed over Brady National Portrait Gallery imprint on mount verso. 

Colonel Louis Blenker wrote this letter to Adjutant General J. Meredith Read, Jr., providing him a short report of Blenker’s regiment’s status. Along with this letter is a Brady CDV of Blenker in uniform, his colonel’s straps visible, leaning on his sword. 

Louis Blenker (1812-1863) emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1849. After having a military career in Europe, he was commissioned on 31 May 1861 as colonel of the 8th New York Infantry and distinguished himself at the Battle of Bull Run. He was promoted to brigadier general on 9 August 1861 and continued to lead the “1st German Rifle Regiment” until he was superseded by General Franz Sigel during the Battle of Cross Keys. After mustering out, Blenker would succumb to internal injuries due to falling off his horse in the Virginia campaign. 

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