Abolitionist U.S. Senator – 1851-69 - Ohio

A Radical Republican, Wade opposed Lincoln’s lenient policies toward the South.

Signature, “B.L. Wade, Senate U.S.,” a free-frank on a 1 ½” x 5” portion of an envelope, imprinted Vice President’s Chamber, U.S. Senate.

A Washington, D.C. postmark at left intersects the beginning of Wade’s signature.

Union Major General – Indiana; Governor of New Mexico Territory – 1878-81

Wallace served in the West at Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, was transferred east with Grant to encounter Jubal Early at Monocacy River in 1864, and was president of the court-martial which tried and condemned Andersonville Commandant Henry Wirz. He served as post-war Governor of the New Mexico Territory and U.S. Minister to Turkey. He is also remembered for writing Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Signed Card, 2 ½” x 4 ¼”, from late in life, “Lew. Wallace, 1901.”

The card is lightly and evenly toned, and there is very slight bleeding of ink in the signature.

Union Major General – Indiana; Governor of New Mexico Territory – 1878-81

Wallace served in the West at Ft. Donelson and Shiloh, was transferred east with Grant to encounter Jubal Early at Monocacy River in 1864, and was president of the court-martial which tried and condemned Andersonville Commandant Henry Wirz. He served as post-war Governor of the New Mexico Territory and U.S. Minister to Turkey. He is also remembered for writing Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Signature, “Lew. Wallace,” on a 2” x 4 ¼” portion of an album page.

Union Brevet Major General; Union Colonel – 180^th Ohio Infantry; Served on the Staff of General William T. Sherman; U.S. Senator – Alabama – 1868-71

Signature, as the Carpetbag U.S. Senator from Alabama, “Willard Warner, Alabama,” on a 2 ¼” x 5 ¼” portion of an album page.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy - 1861-69

Signature, as U.S. Navy Secretary, “Gideon Welles,” on a 1 ¾” x 3 ¼” slip of paper, removed from a letter.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains and a slightly irregular upper edge.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy - 1861-69

Signature, as U.S. Navy Secretary, “Gideon Welles,” on a 1 ¼” x 3 ¾” portion of an appointment document.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a vertical crease through the signature.

Union Brigadier General – Vermont; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Battle of Gettysburg

After enlisting in the only cavalry regiment raised in the state of Vermont during the war, Wells saw action in the Shenandoah under Banks and at Gettysburg, where his distinguished service in Farnsworth’s Brigade earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. He took an active role in Grant’s Overland campaign of 1864 and served with the cavalry under Sheridan through the war’s end.

Document Signed, 2 ¾” x 7 ½”, Burlington, Vermont, January 31, 1875, “Wm. Wells,” a partly printed check, drawn on the Merchants National Bank of Burlington and made payable to George B. Freeman for $77.50.

There are several light folds and creases and a few pinholes. The signature is unaffected by cancellations at the center.

Union Brigadier General – Vermont; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Battle of Gettysburg

After enlisting in the only cavalry regiment raised in the state of Vermont during the war, Wells saw action in the Shenandoah under Banks and at Gettysburg, where his distinguished service in Farnsworth’s Brigade earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. He took an active role in Grant’s Overland campaign of 1864 and served with the cavalry under Sheridan through the war’s end.

Document Signed, 2 ¾” x 8”, Burlington, Vermont, April 30, 1878, “Wm. Wells,” a partly printed check, drawn on the Merchants National Bank of Burlington and made payable to George B. Freeman for ninety dollars. The check has been signed over to Wells, who signs a second time on the reverse.

There are several light vertical folds and a few pinholes.