Autograph letter signed by Joshua Chamberlain. [New York, 1891]. 2 pages, 8vo. WITH certificate of authenticity from RR Auction. 

A letter from Joshua Chamberlain to his wife, Fanny. Although the letter is undated, it was reportedly postmarked around 3 May 1891 in New York, according to a cover originally sold with it. This would place it during the period when Chamberlain was practicing law in New York City after resigning the presidency of Bowdoin College in 1883.

In the letter, Chamberlain writes to his wife: "I have blocked out writing enough to keep me at work for the rest of my days — & nights.... I have to take care of myself. If you were here I shd take walks in the Park, & by the Riverside, so near. I am full of invitations. They have asked me to give the memorial address in this city the 30th of this month. I wanted to do it; but my strength is not quite up to addressing an audience of 3000 people. Besides I am engaged to go to Rockford Illinois that day, & must not fail them." He closes by calling this "only a little love-letter" to Fanny. 

Joshua Chamberlain (1828–1914) was a Maine college professor who volunteered for military service and rose to the rank of brevet major general. He is best known as the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his heroic defense of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the war, he served four terms as governor of Maine (1867–1871) and later as president of Bowdoin College (1871–1883).

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Gettysburg, Little Round Top, Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge, Devil’s Den] [Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]