Civil War-Date Document Signed

Signature, as U.S. Senator, “Cha[rle]s W. Jones, Fl[orid]a,” on a 2 ½” x 4” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned.

Signature, as U.S. Representative, “F.C. Le Blond, Celina, Ohio,” on a 2 ¾” x 5” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned.

Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ¼” x 9 ¼”, thanking one “J.H. Coghill, Esq[uire], New York City,” for the gift of a book.

“Richland, Stafford Co[unty], V[irgini]a,
Feb[ruary] 10, 1880.

My dear Sir,

I beg that you will accept my thanks for the book you were kind enough to send me, and I must also tender my congratulations for the excellent manner displayed in grouping the material, you have so carefully gathered, in such handsome form.

Grateful too, for the Kind feelings expressed for myself,

I am very truly yours,
Fitzhugh Lee.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with the expected folds; tipped to slightly larger backing at the edges.

Autograph Letter Signed, 7 ¾” x 10 ¾”, one page.  As Post Engineer at Fort Hamilton, situated at the mouth of New York Harbor in Brooklyn, Lee writes to a materials supplier, ordering hydraulic cement, commonly used to construct and repair stone and cement structures, even underwater.  While serving as post engineer at Fort Hamilton, 1841-46, Lee is credited with the design and construction of several New York-area fortifications, notably Fort Richmond, Fort Tompkins, and the forts at Willetts Point and Sandy Hook.

 “Henry Wilde, Esq[uir]e,

Sec[retar]y Newark L, & C, Ms. Co.,

Fort Hamilton, N[ew[ Y[ork],

11 April 1843.

Sir,

I have rec[eive]d your letter of the 18 Ult[im]o, offering to furnish me with fresh hydraulic Cement @ $1.25/100 per cask of 300 lbs., deducting 12 ½ c[ents] per cask for those returned.  I will thank you to send me to this place 50 Casks with as little delay as practicable.  The cement must be fresh, & the Casks light & strong.  You may also send 10 Casks of Lime.

Very respectf[ull]y Your Ob[edien]t Serv[an]t,

R.E Lee,

Capt[ain] Eng[ineer]s.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor soiling and wear and the expected folds; the integral leaf, addressed in another hand, is bound by a paper strip at the left edge, and has a small hole well beneath the address from the opening of a no-longer-present wax seal.

As Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

LEE, ROBERT EDWARD (1807-70)  Confederate General & Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia

GARNETT, ROBERT SELDEN (1819-61)  Confederate Brigadier General; Killed-in-Action at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford, Virginia, July 13, 1861 - the first general officer to be killed during the American Civil War; Veteran of the Mexican & Seminole Wars

TOTTEN, JOSEPH GILBERT (1788-1864)  Union Brigadier General during the American Civil War; Veteran of the War of 1812 & the Mexican War

Endorsement Signed, as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, “Approved, R.E. Lee, Captain Corps Eng[ineer]s & B[revet] Col[onel, Sup[erintenden]t M[ilitary] A[cademy],” on a 3 ½” x 7” portion of a letter from Robert S. Garnett, whose signature and rank are at upper right: “R.S. Garnett, Capt[ain] 7^th Inf[antry] & B[revet] Maj[or], Com[mandant] of Corps of Cadets.”  Also endorsed by longtime U.S. Army Officer Joseph Totten beneath, “Eng[inee]r Department, July 7, 1853.  Approved, Jos. G. Totten.”

Several light creases and a few minor stains detract very little.

Autograph Document Signed, 8” x 10”, Fort Hamilton, New York, June 2, 1846, “R.E. Lee, Capt[ain] Eng[inee]rs,” a partly printed requisition for supplies sold to the U.S. Army for use at the installation.  The hardware being purchased is enumerated in Lee’s hand on the front, as is a three-line docket beneath his signature on the reverse.  While serving as post engineer at Fort Hamilton, 1841-46, Lee is credited with the design and construction of several New York-area fortifications, notably Fort Richmond, Fort Tompkins, and the forts at Willetts Point and Sandy Hook.

Seldom seen in its entire form, as Lee’s signature and four lines of print preceding it are often excised and sold as a smaller document.  Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds, several minor stains and paper breaks.

Signed First Day Cover, 3 ¾” x 6 ½”, “Joe McCarthy,” with an October 8, 1956, Appleton, Wisconsin postmark and an ironic “PRAY FOR PEACE” cancellation.  Co-signed beneath by local Postmaster Francis H. Sumnicht and two other notables.

Excellent, with light, even toning.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, 8” x 10”, “Approved, Danl. McCook, Co[lone]l Com[man]d[in]g Brigade,” a requisition for service to the Quartermaster’s Department of the 52^nd Ohio Infantry, August 30 to November 18, 1862.

Lightly and evenly toned, with heavier staining along two horizontal folds; water staining at the left and the center fold, well away from McCook’s endorsement.

Civil War-Date Letter Signed

Letter Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, an early-ear communication regarding supplies needed for the Seventh Brigade, under General James Negley.

“Head Quarters Second Division, Camp Wood [Kentucky], Dec[ember] 16, 1861.

Capt[ain] J.F. Boyd
As[sistan]t Q[uarte]r Master.

Sir,

I have the honor herewith to enclose, a memorandum of the wants of the Q[uarte]r Masters Dep[artmen]t of the 7^th Brigade.  Gen[era]l Negley informs me he has, made several requisitions for the articles, without obtaining them.  You will please ereport to these Head Quarters why the articles have not been furnished.

I am Sir, very respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,

Danl. McCook
As[sistan]t Adj[utan]t Gen[era]l.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds, several light surface creases, and a few old paper and hinge remnants on the reverse.

Civil War-Date Autograph Document Signed – Rations for Grant’s teamsters before the Battle of the Wilderness

Autograph Document Signed, 6 ¾” x 11”, partly printed, Culpeper, Virginia, May 2, 1864, “By command of Lieu[tenan]t Gen[era]l Grant, E.S. Parker, Ass[istan]t Adj[tan]t Gen[era]l.”  Just three days before the Overland Campaign commenced at the Battle of the Wilderness, Parker, as General Grant’s adjutant, approves rations for thirteen men employed as teamsters in the Quartermasters Department of Grant’s Headquarters.  With the exception of the signature of Captain Henry Warner Janes, formerly of the 55^th Illinois Infantry, at lower right, remaining manuscript portions of the document are also in Parker’s hand.

Overall condition is very good, with heavier toning and minor staining at three vertical folds.

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed – from the Department of West Virginia

Autograph Letter Signed, 5 ½” x 7 ½”, responding to an autograph request from a noted Civil War-era collector.

“Head Q[uarte]rs 2^nd Cav[alry] Div[ision] D[epartment] [of] W[est] V[irginia].  Front Royal, V[irgini]a, Nov[ember] 3^rd 1864.  Mr. C.L. Pascal, Philadelphia, P[ennsylvani]a.  Sir, Your request bearing date Oct[ober] 22^nd reached me this morning.  Your request is hereby granted.  I am dear Sir, Yours Respectfully, W.H. Powell, B[rigadier] G[eneral.”

Lightly and evenly toned; affixed to old heavier backing.

Civil War-Date Letter Signed – preparing for the Battle of Iuka

Letter Signed, 8 ½” x 10 ½”, to “Hon[orable] Jno. J. Pettus, Governor of Mississippi,” informing Pettus of the disposition of troops sent to reinforce the militia shortly before the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi, September 19, 1862, resulting in Price’s defeat by Union General Wiliam S. Rosecrans.  Docketed on the reverse, presumably by Governor Pettus: “Gen[eral] Price writes in regard to his order to supply Militia & transmit copy of said order.”

“H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs Dist[rict] of the Tennessee
Tupelo [Mississippi], September 5, 1862

Governor,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1^st inst[ant]; delivered to me by Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Harris, & to say that I have issued the necessary orders for the supply of the Militia that have been reported to me, with subsistence, Camp & Garrison equipage, Arms & ammunition.

A copy of these orders are enclosed for your information.  Again thanking your Excellency for Your prompt attention to my request.

I am very respectfully,
Your ob[e]d[ien]t S[er]v[an]t,

Sterling Price

Maj[or] Gen[era]l
Com[mandin]g Dist[rict] of the Tennessee.”

Sound overall, with two horizontal folds; smearing of ink at the conclusion; text is unaffected by age spotting at the edges.

Signed Card, 3” x 4 ¾”, dated and inscribed, “James R. Randall, Augusta, G[eorgi]a.  March 21, 1891.  For Miss Louise Parkinson.”  

Lightly and evenly toned, with several minor stains; bumping at the upper left corner; old mounting remnants on the reverse.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, an 8” x 10” folded four-page letter sheet, Richmond, Virginia, March 24, 1862, Geo. W. Randolph,” to “O. Sibley, Jr., Esq[uire], 3[r]d Ala[bama] Reg[imen]t, Care G.T. Lathrop, Engineer Bureau.”  On an official, imprinted Confederate form, Randolph forwards an important printed Circular from previous War Secretary Judah P. Benjamin, included on the subsequent pages, detailing the provisions for the enlistment of volunteers.  A further notation beneath is initialed “G.W.B.”  The upper left corners of both leaves bear circular embossing with Virginia’s “SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS” motto.

Overall condition is very good, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds; minor smearing of ink at the conclusion of Randolph’s signature.

Civil War-Date Document Signed - General Grant banishes Prostitutes from the District of West Tennessee

Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 10”, a manuscript special order, signed by Rawlins as assistant adjutant general on behalf of Major General Ulysses S. Grant.  The order explicitly bans the unauthorized travel of women from northern rail points to the army’s encampments, along with their presence in camp.

“Head Quarters District of West Tennessee.
Corinth, Miss[issippi], July 20^th 1862.

Special Order
No. 139.

No females will be allowed to leave Columbus, Kentucky, or any intermediate railway Station by Railroad, to join any part of the Army of this District without a special written permit from Department Head Quarters or these Head Quarters.  All females from abroad remaining within Camp lines after the 31^st instant, not having such permits, shall be arrested and sent out of the District.  Division, Brigade, Port, Regimental, and Company Commanders will see to the faithful execution of this order throughout their respective Commands.

By Command of Maj[or] Gen[eral] U.S. Grant.
Jno. A. Rawlins,
Ass[istan]t Adj[uta]nt Gen[era]l.

As early-war offensives made inroads into Confederate territory, both east and west, the occupying Union Army was inevitably followed by another, consisting of profiteers and opportunists of all types, including prostitutes.  By this order, Grant intends to thwart the proliferation of prostitution among army personnel in the newly occupied regions of Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and Alabama, secured by the recent Union victory at the Battle of Shiloh.

Excellent, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds.

Signed Card, 2 ½” x 4”, March 22, 1869, Washington, D.C., “John A. Rawlins,” as U.S. Secretary of War.  The recipient’s name, date, just nine days after he assumed office as secretary or war, and Rawlins’s title are accomplished in an unidentified clerical hand.

Excellent overall, with old mounting remnants on the reverse.

Civil War-Date Autograph

Signature & Rank, “John F. Reynolds, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l Vol[unteer]s,” on  a 1” x 3” portion of a larger document, dated “1862” in an unidentified hand at lower left.

An excellent early-war example, with the rank Reynolds held from August 20, 1861 until promotion to major general, effective November 29, 1862.

Signed Card, 2” x 3 ½”, “J.M. Rusk,” with bevelled edges and rounded corners.

Excellent, with light, even toning; old mounting remnants on the reverse.

Signature, as U.S. Representative from New York, “E. Sherrill, Shandaken, N. York,” on a 2 ¾” x 5” portion of an album page.

Lightly and evenly toned; somewhat closely trimmed at the upper edge.