During The Civil War, A Louisiana Headmistress Begs A Union General For A Travel Pass To New York: “Will You Obtain For Me From The War Dept A Pass For Myself & Maid To N. York On A Govnt Transport?”

(CIVIL WAR IN LOUISIANA). ALS. 2pgs. April 5, 1864. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. An autograph letter signed “Matilda Victor”. Victor wrote to Major General Benjamin F. Butler (1818-1893) in Fort Monroe, Virginia, asking his help is securing her a pass to travel to New York for free. She also mentions Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (1814-1869). Victor was the Headmistress of St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic girls’ school in Baton Rouge. “General: Will you obtain for me from the War dept a pass for myself & maid to N. York on a Govnt Transport? Major General Banks wrote to Mr. Stanton requesting a pass for me. I enclose his letter to a certain Col., a friend of mine then at Washington, requesting him to present the letter in person. He had left Washington & I presume the letter has gone to the dead letter office. Gen. B. is now in the field & I know of no alternative but to ask this fresh act of kindness from you. I must go to W. with my papers. I have not the means to meet the expenses of a private steamer. Gen. B. asked for me a free pass stating his reasons for so doing. It is unfortunate that his letter has been lost, of course, Sec. Stanton would not notice any application which I should personally make. I am ashamed General, to ask so much from you. For this & the kindness which you have already shown me I can but pray that God may repay for me; if not to yourself, then, to your own child, if ever she is so unfortunate as to need kindness as much as I have in the past two years. Yours with respect & gratitude, Matilda Victor”. A docket on the back in another hand directs Victor to a Chief Doctor in New Orleans who could give her transportation. The letter is in very good condition with a large but light stain through all pages.