American Aviator & Polar Explorer; Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient; U.S. Navy Rear Admiral

Typed Letter Signed, 8 ½” x 11”, on the imprinted stationery of The National Economy League. As national chairman, Byrd thanks the recipient for his work on behalf of the organization during the Great Depression. Organized late in the presidential term of Herbert Hoover, The National Economy League was devoted to keeping government expenditures in check. As a political lobby, one of the organization’s most notable early battles was to reduce by almost half the one million dollar per year appropriation for veterans. Ironically, both Rear Admiral Byrd and General John J. Pershing, listed at this letter’s upper left as a member of the Advisory Council, had received $4500 and $19,880 respectively in pensions from the government.

“April First 1933. My dear Mr. Nichols:- I wish to express my deepest and sincerest appreciation of your work with the National Economy League.  I know it has meant a sacrifice on your part and I want you to feel that you have patriotically done vastly more than your share towards arousing an informed public opinion. I assure you that every thinking man and woman joins with me in wishing you success. Very sincerely, R.E. Byrd. Richard E. Byrd, National Chairman.”

Condition is excellent, with the usual folds. The letter is accompanied by the transmittal envelope, with the typewritten address, “Mr. Benjamin E. Nichols, 148 Main Street, Reading, Massachusetts.”

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

As colonel of the 20^th Maine, Chamberlain gallantly defended Little Round Top, preventing a Confederate victory at Gettysburg.

Addressed Envelope, 3” x 5 ½”, as Governor of Maine, to his wife, Fanny.

“Mrs. F.C. Chamberlain, Stevens House, New York City, N.Y.”

This ornate, official envelope has ink staining at the conclusion of Chamberlain’s address, and there are several tears, with no loss of paper, in the upper and lower left margins.

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

As colonel of the 20^th Maine, Chamberlain gallantly defended Little Round Top, preventing a Confederate victory at Gettysburg.

Document Signed, 9 ¼” x 11 ½”, January 27, 1892, “Joshua L. Chamberlain,” as President of the Ocala and Silver Springs Company, a partly printed stock certificate for five shares to one James E. Simpson.  Countersigned by the company treasurer.

Illustrated in two views due to scanner limitations, the document is pleasantly age-toned, with several folds and light creases.

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

As colonel of the 20^th Maine, Chamberlain gallantly defended Little Round Top, preventing a Confederate victory at Gettysburg.

Civil War-Date Signature, a seldom-seen example with sentiment and the rank Chamberlain held from June 18, 1864 through the end of the war, on a 1 ¾” x 5” slip of lined paper. Chamberlain was brevetted major general of volunteers on March 29, 1865.

“Very respectfully, Your ob[e]d[ien]t Serv[an]t, J.L. Chamberlain, Brig. Genl. Com[man]d[in]g.”

The slip is lightly toned, with some show-through of old glue staining on the reverse, and there is a small hole above the “Com” in Chamberlain’s rank; illustrated against a black background for added clarity.

Union Brigadier General – Pennsylvania; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Bravery in the Battle of Fort Fisher, January 15, 1865

A Pennsylvania native, Pennypacker saw Civil War action at Fort Wagner, Drewry's Bluff, and Fort Fisher, where he was severely wounded - his bravery there earning the Medal of Honor and a promotion to brevet brigadier general. Wounded a total of seven times during the war, Pennypacker was the youngest general officer ever appointed in the service of the United States.

Signed Album Page, 5” x 9”, “G. Pennypacker, U.S. Army. Philadelphia, Jan[uar]y 16^th 1893.”

There is somewhat heavier toning in the outer margins, along with a small chip at the upper edge.

Twenty-Sixth U.S. President – 1901-09; Colonel of the Rough Riders - Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Battle of San Juan Hill, July 1, 1898

Signed Card, 2 ½” x 4”, “Theodore Roosevelt.”

Overall condition is excellent, with light, even toning and small mounting remnants on the reverse.

Union Brigadier General – Massachusetts; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Gallantry in the Defense of Harpers Ferry, Virginia

An 1849 West Point graduate and veteran of the Seminole War, Saxton was commanding an artillery detachment at the St. Louis arsenal when the Civil War began. He assisted General Nathaniel Lyon in dispersing the pro-southern Missouri State Guard at Camp Jackson and subsequently became Lyon’s chief quartermaster.  After being transferred east, Saxton commanded the defenses of Harpers Ferry in May and June of 1862, an action for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His primary function for the remainder of the war was the enlistment and organization of former slaves into the Federal Army. Upon the termination of hostilities, Saxton became an assistant commander in a division of the Freedmen’s Bureau.

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”. While serving as quartermaster on the Port Royal expedition, Saxton directs the delivery of hay and coal for the use of Union forces at Hilton Head, South Carolina. Docketing on the reverse dates this letter to December 19, 1861, shortly after Hilton Head was taken, establishing a base for future Union operations along the coast of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

“Capt[ain] [Herbert] Hascall. The bark Chas. Keen has 290 bales of hay on board for this Dept. She has also Coal for the Navy Dept. She has three days to unload for us & two for the Navy. The hay is on top. Will you please have the hay taken out…Yours, Rufus Saxton, Capt[ain] U.S.A., A[ssistant] Q[uarter] M[aster].”

The letter is lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds and a few small stains. There is very slight loss of paper in the upper left corner.

Union Major General - New York; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for the Battle of Gettysburg

Sickles lost a leg and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor as a result of his action in the Peach Orchard at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.

Signature, with rank and date, “Autograph of D.E. Sickles, Maj[or] Gen]era]l U.S. Army, New York, Jan[uar]y 11, [18]90,” on a 3 ¼” x 4 ¾” slip of paper.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a vertical fold at the center.

Union Major General - Ohio; Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Distinguished Bravery at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864

An 1852 West Point graduate, Stanley saw Civil War action in the West from Wilson's Creek through Franklin, where his actions earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. After the war, he served in Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas on the western frontier.

Autograph Quotation Signed, on a 4” x 7” album page.

“Youth is the heyday of life. Enjoy it Dear Josie, whilst we elders applaud. D.S. Stanley, Col[onel] 22^nd Inf[an]t[r]y, B[re]v[e]t Maj[or] Gen[era]l.”

On the reverse is the signature, “G.H. Patten, L[ieutenan]t 22^nd Inf[antry], Santa Fe, Dec[ember] 10, [18]83.”

The sheet is lightly and evenly toned, with a few small stains.

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.