American Historian & Diplomat; U.S. Navy Secretary – 1845-46; U.S. Minister to Great Britain – 1846-49; Governor of Massachusetts – 1844

SHUBRICK, WILLIAM BRANFORD (1790-1874) U.S. Navy Rear Admiral; Awarded a Congressional Medal for Gallant Conduct in the War of 1812

Mexican War-Date Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, Navy Department, April 27, 1846, “Geo. Bancroft,” as U.S. Navy Secretary during the presidency of James K. Polk, to “Mr. John Clapham, Gunner U.S. Navy, Paterson, N.J.” Just three days after the United States declared war with Mexico, Clapham is ordered to report to Commodore William B. Shubrick for duty at Washington, D.C. In the lower margin, Shubrick further directs Clapham, “Report to Commander D… W. Branford Shubrick, 5^th May 1846.”

A lifelong navy man, Shubrick was awarded a Congressional Medal, the antebellum precursor to the Congressional Medal of Honor, for gallant conduct during the War of 1812. As commander–in-chief of the U.S. naval force in the Pacific during the war with Mexico, he was responsible for the capture of several port cities in Mexico and southern California. In 1862, Shubrick was promoted to rear admiral on the retired list.

The sheet bears scattered foxing and light wear and staining along two horizontal folds. While the signature of Bancroft is light, Shubrick’s notation is quite distinct.

American Civil War Nurse; Founder of the American Red Cross

Barton's work in providing medicine and supplies to the wounded on the Civil War front lines earned her the sobriquet "The Angel of the Battlefield.” She went on to found the American Red Cross.

Autograph Letter Signed, 4” x 6 ¼”, undated, responding to an autograph request.

“My dear Mrs. Perkins, I regret that your very small request has been obliged to wait so long for a response, but it affords me great pleasure to be able to comply even at this late date. I write you from my summer resort at 1000 Islands, - & am, Very Sincerely, Clara Barton.”

A fine example in excellent condition.

U.S. Postmaster General - 1861-64; Brother of Francis P. Blair, Jr.; Mayor of St. Louis – 1842-43; Counsel for Dred Scott before the U.S. Supreme Court

“…I have written to Col. Fremont by this mail & via Nicaragua at considerable length…”

Autograph Letter Signed, 2 ½ pages, on a folded 8” x 10” letter-sheet. Writing to his sister from San Francisco, Blair discusses his health and laboriously explains his difficulty in writing. He further mentions business matters with John C. Fremont, the noted western explorer whom the influential and politically connected Blair family had backed in the presidential election of 1856.

“San Francisco, Aug. 16, [18]59. My dear Sister, I have nothing to write & have written to Mary sending d[ra]fts. You will hear from her every thing I have to say but still I like to say a word or so to you all at Silver Spring where so large a part of my affections dwell. I have not been quite well & am not yet as well as I would like to be. But I really think it is home sickness as much as any thing else that ails me. I have had occasional symptoms lately of a return of the Panama fever but I have stopped them & am now [?] on matters very energetically. Don’t tell momma a word of this for the sound would for she…go mad about it. I wrote home because you would expect longer & fuller letters than I can write. I have written her tho at my usual length tho I found it hard work to find matter to fill my sheets to her…I am now in no mood to dwell here or on things here in any letters I want to get away. But I start [?] I get every thing fixed so I can leave [?] in good condition. Write me therefore just as if I were a fixture – tho the thought of such a prospect would slay me outright.

I have written to Col. Fremont by this mail & via Nicaragua at considerable length & about some matters of importance to him. You say that since writing I have had a conversation with J[?] who tells me he has a power of atty. & promised to bring it here to my office yesterday. But he did not. I seldom see him & don’t know where to hunt him. I suppose he will turn up in a few days again & if his [?] are sufficient. I will get him to act on them & get a contract with Palmer to set aside proceedings in case not approved by Fremont.

Our promising uncle James D. Blair has put around here from the Sandwich Islands whence he hails now. I have not seen him & shall not seek him. It is just as well to keep at a respectful distance from such fellows especially when they [word omitted] of him to you. Y[ou]rs Aff[ectionatel]y, M. Blair.

Ned [?] & his wife & the cooks [are] better than I have seen her in years very much improved & she has got that if nothing else by coming here. She sends love to you & mother.”

Overall condition is very good, with the usual folds and a few small stains.

American Author, Editor & Social Reformer

A prominent longtime New York City social reformer and author, Chaplain William Oland Bourne published The Soldier’s Friend, a monthly newspaper to help Civil War veterans, particularly those who had lost limbs. The publication sponsored contests in left-handed penmanship, offering monetary prizes to those who submitted the best specimens.

Autograph Quotation Signed, 5” x 7 ¼”, a handwritten verse for one “R.G. Bulkeley.”

“In all Life’s lessons learn That true men through there trials persevere! Winters but come, with all their storms severe, To hasten Spring’s return. N.Y. Free Academy, Oct. 17, 1854. Wm. Oland Bourne.”

The letter-sheet bears light toning, along with the usual folds and several light creases.

Union Major General - Ohio

Buell was instrumental in the Federal victories at Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, where his arrival late in the first day saved Grant from the Confederate attack. He was replaced by Rosecrans due to his hesitance in the pursuit of Bragg after the October 1862 battle of Perryville.

Signature, “D.C. Buell, Airdrie, Dec[ember] 28, 1886,” on a 2 ¼” x 4” slip of paper.

Lightly and evenly toned, with mounting remnants on the reverse.

As Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary, Chase was instrumental in the efforts to finance the war and was responsible for the issue and acceptance of paper money as legal tender. Continued rivalry and strife with Lincoln precipitated his appointment to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Roger B. Taney in 1864.

Ordering Copies of His Senate Speech Against the Fugitive Slave Act

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ½” x 5”, as a first-term U.S. Senator from Ohio, requesting additional copies of his speech, probably Chase’s impassioned oration opposing the Fugitive Slave Act, a provision in the Compromise of 1850 which required northern citizens to assist in the return of suspected runaway slaves to the South, delivered before the U.S. Senate on March 26 – 27, 1850.

“Wash[ingto]n, May 6, [18]50. Dear Sir, Please send me 20 more copies of my speech, in packages of 5 each, as the enclosed $1 will pay for. Y[ou]rs, S.P. Chase.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with several horizontal folds and minor paper loss at the corners.

Union Brigadier General - Pennsylvania

Crawford's Civil War service began at Forts Moultrie and Sumter during the war’s opening engagement in 1861. He saw further action at Cedar Mountain, Gettysburg, and in the 1864 Overland Campaign.

Document Signed, 11” X 31”, Huntsville, Alabama, June 30, 1869, “S.W. Crawford, Colonel 2^nd Inf[antry] Bvt. Maj. Gen U.S.A.,” in violet ink on a partly printed muster roll, approving the pay of 2^nd Infantry Privates Charles Dilworth and Joseph Snyder for the period from April 30 through June 30, 1869.

The document is lightly toned, with weakness and minor loss of paper along the usual folds. Only a center one-fourth is illustrated; images of the remainder will be provided upon request.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice – 1862-77 – Appointed by Abraham Lincoln; U.S. Senator – Illinois – 1877-83

Letter Signed, in violet ink on 5” x 5 ¾” stationery, imprinted “Vice-President’s Chamber, Washington,” to a recipient identified only as “Mr. French.” While serving as President of the U.S. Senate, a position he held from 1881-83, Davis recommends a man for a postal department appointment in Indianapolis.

“March 23, 1882. Dear Sir: Mr. W.L. Rutledge, who has had from merit two promotions in the postal service, would be gratified to fill a vacancy, caused, or to be caused, by the retirement of Mr. Palmer at Indianapolis. He has proved his fitness signally, and under the rules which recognize capacity, fidelity and integrity, he certainly deserves this new mark of confidence. Very Respectfully, David Davis.”

The letter-sheet is lightly and evenly toned, with a horizontal fold at the center and a few superficial stains.

Union Brevet Brigadier General; Assistant U.S. Secretary of War – 1866-67; President of Western Union – 1892-1902

Eckert served on the staff of George McClellan as head of the Army of the Potomac telegraph operations during the Peninsula campaign. Later transferred to the War Department telegraph office, he became close to President Lincoln as the two spent hours together awaiting news from the front. Lincoln invited Eckert to accompany him to Ford’s Theater on the night of the assassination, but Stanton prevented his going, claiming that Eckert had too much work to do. After the war, Eckert served briefly as assistant secretary of war and later became president of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

Signature, “Thos. T. Eckert,” on a 1 ¼” x 3” slip of lined paper, affixed to heavier stock.

Union Major General – Maryland

An 1837 West Point graduate, French commanded in the 2^nd Corps, Army of the Potomac, on the Peninsula and at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

Signed Card, 2 ½” x 4”, with rank, “Wm. H. French, M[ajor] G[eneral] V[olunteers].”

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few superficial stains.

Twentieth U.S. President – 1881; Union Major General - Ohio

Letter Signed, 5” x 8”, four pages on a folded letter-sheet. Writing to a concerned constituent as chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Garfield provides information relating to government funding for the Ashtabula, Ohio harbor.

“Washington, D.C., February 2, [18]74. H. Hubbard, Esq., Ashtabula, Ohio. My Dear Sir: Yours of the 31^st inst[ant] came duly to hand this morning. You are laboring under a mistake in supposing that the Com[mite]e on Appropriations has cut down the estimates for Ashtabula Harbor. In fact the subject of Rivers and Harbors has not been before the Com[mite]e at all. The Com[mite]e on Commerce of which Hon. William A Wheeler of N.Y. is Chairman, has charge of that bill. That Committee makes up the bill and reports it to the House, it is then usually referred to the Com[mite]e on Appropriations. What has been done thus far is this: The estimates submitted on the 1^st day of the Session, by the Treasury recommended $50,000 for Ashtabula Harbor. On the reassembling of Congress after the Holiday vacation, the President sent a message enclosing revised estimates made by the different departments. In that revision the estimate for Ashtabula Harbor was cut down to $15,000. Why this was done I do not know nor did I know that it was done at all up to the time I wrote you last. I shall do what I can to secure a good appropriation for Ashtabula Harbor, but in view of the deficit in the Treasury, there is a very strong desire on the part of Congress to cut down the appropriations as much as possible and it will be very difficult to get the amount raised above what is requested in the list of estimates sent in by the Engineers Dep[artmen]t. I hope you will let our friends understand just the situation of the case. I should be very sorry to have them suppose that my committee had cut down these estimates. With kindest regards I am Very Truly Yours, J.A. Garfield.”

There is light, even toning, with a few stains and the expected folds, and the first page of the letter is lightly soiled. The letter-sheet is illustrated unfolded, with pages one and two on adjacent leaves, as are the third and final pages of the letter.

Twentieth U.S. President – 1881; Union Major General - Ohio

Signed Photograph, 2 ¼” x 4”, “J.A. Garfield, Ohio,” a Brady carte-de-visite.

There is light soiling and wear, and the upper corners of the card have been trimmed diagonally. The ornate back-mark has been marred by past mounting.

Union Major General – Pennsylvania

Gibbon served with distinction in the Army of the Potomac and was twice wounded - while leading the “Iron Brigade” at Second Manassas and again at Gettysburg. At Appomattox, Gibbon was one of the commissioners designated to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. After the war he served as colonel of the 7^th U.S. Infantry and earned legendary fame as an Indian fighter, rescuing the survivors of Custer’s command at Little Big Horn.

“I would like a place that will inconvenience the Indians as little as possible.”

Typed Letter Signed, 8” x 10 ½”, on imprinted Headquarters Department of the Columbia stationery. As commander of the department, Gibbon makes inquiry to the U.S. Indian Agent at Fort Simcoe, regarding the possibility of conducting military exercises on the Yakima Reservation.

“Vancouver Barracks, W.T., July 12^th 1889. The U.S. Indian Agent, Yakima Indian Agency, Fort Simcoe, Oregon. Sir: - I am looking for a favorable location to have some exercises for the troops in this Department this fall, and desire to know if there is any objection to having a camp in some unsettled portion of the Yakima Reservation. If there is no objection, I will be obliged to you if you will designate some suitable locality. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, John Gibbon, Brigadier-General, Commanding. P.S. I would like a place that will inconvenience the Indians as little as possible.”

On the reverse is an unsigned pencil notation, undoubtedly by, or on behalf of, the Indian Agent at the reservation.

“No objection to this as far as I am concerned – do not think Indians care – desirable location occupied by Indians. There are fairly good places where exercises could be – county dry & dusty – no rain for 6 mo[nth]s. If you conclude to come will do what I can to indicate best available location owing to extreme drou[g]th this summer, grass and forage is very scarce.”

There are several light folds and creases, along with a few stains.

Union Major General – Pennsylvania

Gibbon served with distinction in the Army of the Potomac and was twice wounded - while leading the “Iron Brigade” at Second Manassas and again at Gettysburg. At Appomattox, Gibbon was one of the commissioners designated to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. After the war he served as colonel of the 7^th U.S. Infantry and earned legendary fame as an Indian fighter, rescuing the survivors of Custer’s command at Little Big Horn.

Signature, with date and rank, “John Gibbon, Maj. Genl. Vol[unteers], 24^th Corps. Jan[uar]y 15^th 1866,” on a 3” x 4 ¾” portion of an album page.