PETER JOSEPH OSTERHAUS, (1823-1917), was born in Germany and a Prussian Army Officer who immigrated to the United States in 1858, and settled in St. Louis, MO; At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Major in the 2nd Missouri Infantry, fought at Wilson's Creek & Pea Ridge; Promoted to Brigadier General on June 9, 1862, and to
Major General on July 23, 1864; Was in Division command during the Vicksburg Campaign, then in the Chattanooga campaign and the Atlanta campaign;
Commanded the XV Corps in the March to the Sea; In March, 1865, was appointed Chief of Staff in the
Military Division of West Mississippi under the command of Gen. Edward Canby, and served in the Battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely; Mustered out of the Army on Jan. 15, 1866; Served as U.S. Consul in Lyons, France, 1866-1877; Later returned to Germany, where he died at age 93.
Scarce signed Civil War date cover, signed in the address to his wife, "Mrs. P. J. Osterhaus", at St. Louis, Missouri. The cover has imprint at top right: "Headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi", with the word "Official" crossed out by him; and has March 17, 1865 dated NEW ORLEANS/LA postmark tying #65 3c rose. Docketing by his wife, in German, at top left, indicating the date of the letter which was once inside, the date received, and the date answered.
Fine-Very Fine.
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