As Civil-War Governor of Massachusetts

Signature & Sentiment, also dated by Andrew, on imprinted 5” x 8” official stationery.

“Jan[uar]y 30^th 1861.  Yours respectfully, John A. Andrew.”

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

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed – seeking a pass “to reclaim the remains of a dead Soldier.”

Autograph Letter Signed, on beautifully imprinted 6” x 7 ½” official stationery as Massachusetts governor.  During the second year of war, Andrew seeks the assistance of Franklin E. Howe, an officer in the 36^th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in procuring a pass for a colleague in the regiment, to reclaim the remains of an unnamed dead soldier.  Modern records indicate that Howe died of disease on May 5, 1864 in Westminster, Massachusetts.

“Boston, April 29, 1862, L[ieutenan]t Col[onel] Howe.  My d[ea]r Col[onel], If you can help Mr. A.S. Tuttle to get a passage to Roanoke Island to reclaim the remains of a dead Soldier you will confer a favor.  I am unaware about the regulations nom a sick passenger to N[orth] C[arolina] not in military service.  Your serv[ant], John A. Andrew.”

Accompanied by the imprinted transmittal envelope, addressed to Howe.  The letter is excellent overall, with light, even toning and two horizontal folds; the transmittal envelope bears heavier staining, with irregular tearing at the edges from opening.

Signature, with rank in another hand, possibly war-date, “R.B. Ayres, Brig[adier] General Commanding,” on a 1 ½” x 2 ½” portion of a larger document; affixed to larger backing.

Moderate staining throughout, with a vertical crease at left center.

From the military post at Saint Louis, Missouri

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”.  Addressing “Col[onel] S. Cooper, Adj[utan]t Gen[eral] U.S.A., Washington, D.C.”, later the highest-ranking general in the service of the Confederacy, Buford conveys details relating to the disposition of funds in the recruiting department.  Mentioned by Buford in the handling of the funds is future Union Brevet Brigadier General William Warren Lowe, further brevetted for gallantry at Chickamauga, Georgia and Huntsville, Alabama during the Civil War.

Jefferson Barracks, M[iss]o[uri]
April 30, 1855

Colonel,

I have the honor to transmit an estimate for Recruiting funds.  The am[oun]t is due to contractors for transportation of Recruits.  I have been relieved from the recruiting service and ordered to my Reg[imen]t.  I have received from L[ieutenan]t W.W. Lowe 2^nd Cavalry the am[oun]t $341.00 of his Q[uarte]r M[aste]rs funds, which is to be replaced by the draft for the recruiting funds.

When the money is transmitted please make it payable to L[ieutenan]t W.W. Lowe 2^nd Cav[alry] and hold me accountable.

I am Col[onel]
Very Respectfully
Your O[bedien]t Ser[van]t
Jno. Buford
L[ieutenan]t Drag[oon]s

Overall condition is very good, with two horizontal folds and minor paper loss at the upper left corner.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, 12” x 17”, a partly printed “Commutation of Quarters and Fuel” for six soldiers during the month of October 1864.

“Examined.  B.D. Fry, Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Com[manding] Post.”

On the commonly seen brown paper used by the Confederate military during the war, with minor paper loss at the corners and the edges of three horizontal folds.

Civil War-Date Franked Envelope

Signed Envelope, 3 ½” x 8 ¼”, officially imprinted, bearing a franking signature, “J. Garesche,” as assistant adjutant general, along with an April 1861, Washington D.C. postmark.  Addressed in an unidentified hand to “Lieut[enant] Clarence Monck, 1^st Cavalry, Care of Hon[orable] Mr. Longnecker, Allentown, Penn[sylvani]a”; with further unresearched, interesting pencil notations in an unknown hand on the reverse, “Commissions U.S.A.  Johnson 2, Lincoln 3, Hayes 1.”

Well worn, most noticeably at the edges, with staining and soiling throughout; paper loss at the lower right edge and to the reverse flaps of the envelope; chipping at the edges; and a diagonal tear at the upper left, well away from the signature.

Very Rare Autograph Letter Signed – returning the remains of a West Point classmate, mortally wounded at the Mexican War Battle of Churubusco

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”, to “Mr. Francis Bacon, Alfred, M[ain]e,” returning the remains of his brother, Lieutenant John Danforth Bacon, who died on October 12, 1847 from wounds received at the Mexican War Battle of Churubusco.

“New Orleans, March 13, 1848.

D[ea]r Sir:

Captain Monroe having left the city unexpectedly for a short time, he requested me to say to you in his behalf – that the remains of your brother had been shipped on the Lapland to Boston, directed to the care of U.S. Acting Assistant Quarter Master at that place.  She sailed about the 9^[th] Inst[ant].

Before closing this letter, permit me to offer you my sincere sympathy for the loss of your brother, who besides belonging to the same Regiment, was associated with me many years at the Military Academy.  I always esteemed his as one of my dearest friends & it is a source of comfort to know that he met his fate like a soldier – surrounded by those who loved him as a brother.

I am very truly yours,
R.B. Garnett,
L[ieutenan]t 6^th Inf[antr]y.
U.S.A.
New Orleans

Excellent overall, with the expected original folds.

Civil War-Date Autograph Document Signed – a handwritten Pass

Autograph Document Signed, 5” x 7 ¾”, a handwritten pass on an official form, imprinted “Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn[essee],” surely one of the last orders that Grant issued before promotion.  He traveled to the East just days later, arriving in Washington, D.C. on March 8 and was famously and ceremoniously appointed lieutenant general and commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army by President Lincoln on March 9, 1864.

“March 4, 1864.  Pass Mrs. Col[onel] Dunlap & Child to Loudon Tenn[essee] free.  The Surgeon in charge of Hospital train is requested to take Mrs. Dunlap on the train with him.  U.S. Grant, Maj[or] Gen[eral].”

Toning and wear throughout; old repairs on the reverse to minor paper loss and separation along several folds, with associated tape staining.

Civil War-Date Autograph Letter Signed – Endorsed by Five Union Generals before the Battles of Iuka & Corinth in Confederate Mississippi

GRANT, ULYSSES S. (1822-85)  Eighteenth U.S. President – 1869-77; Union Lieutenant General, during the American Civil War; Commanding General of the Army of the United States – 1864-69

ROSECRANS, WILLIAM STARKE (1819-98)  Union Major General; U.S. Representative – California – 1881-85

TOWNSEND, EDWARD DAVIS (1817-93)  Union Brigadier General; Adjutant General of the U.S. Army – 1869-80; Veteran of the Second Seminole War

HALLECK, HENRY WAGER (1815-72)  Union Major General; Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army – 1862-64

HAMILTON, CHARLES SMITH (1822-91)  Union Major General; Veteran of the Mexican & Comanche Wars

WATSON, PETER H. (?-?)  Assistant Secretary of War, 1862 – Appointed by President Lincoln

Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, endorsements on the reverse of a handwritten letter from Brigadier General Charles Smith Hamilton, requesting leave for twenty-five days.  Army General-in-Chief Henry W. Halleck concludes by denying the request.  The Battle of Iuka was fought on September 19, 1862, followed by the Battle of Corinth on October 3-4, both being regarded as Union victories.

 “July 16, [18]62 C.S. Hamilton, Brig[adier] Gen[eral].  Applies for leave of absence.”

“Head Quarters, Dep[artmen]t of W[est] T[ennessee].  Corinth, July 19^th 1862.  Approved and respectfully forwarded to Gen[eral] H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs.  U.S. Grant, Maj[or] Gen[eral].”

“Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. E.D. Townsend, Ass[istan]t Adj[utan]t Gen[era]l.”

“Referred to the General in Chief.  By order of the Secretary of War.  P.H. Watson, Ass[istant] Sec[retary] of War.  Aug[ust] 20/[18]62.”

“Respectfully forwarded W.S. Rosecrans, Brig[adier] Gen[era]l U.S.A Com[man]d[in]g.”

“Not approved.  Aug[ust] 22^nd 1862.  H.W. Halleck, Gen[era]l in Ch[ie]f.”

General Hamilton’s letter, in full, directed to “Brig[adier] Gen[eral] L[orenzo] Thomas, Adj[utan]t Gen[eral] U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.”

Camp near Corinth Miss[issippi]
July 16 – [18]62

Sir

I respectfully ask for leave of absence from my command for twenty five days.

An absence of over one year from my business, together with some recent complications in my private & personal affairs, renders it of vital importance to myself and family that I should give them my personal attention.  Very respectfully, Your Ob[edien]t S[er]v[an]t, C.S. Hamilton, Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Vol[unteer]s.”

Tipped to slightly larger backing; lightly and evenly toned, with the expected folds and minor staining.

Mexican War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, 6” x 8”, “April 30, 1847, Vera Cruz, Mexico, B.R. Johnson, L[ieutenan]t & A[ssissant] A[djutant] C[ommissary],” a provision return for one soldier for the month of April 1847.

Very good condition overall, with two horizontal folds.

Signature & Rank, “John A. Logan, Maj[or] Gen[era]l,” on a 1” x 2 ½” slip of paper.  Affixed to backing from a period newspaper.

Evenly toned, with minor staining; diagonally clipped at the corners.

Civil War-Date Document Signed – from encampment near Murfreesboro, Tennessee shortly before the Battle of Stone’s River

Document Signed, 8” x 17”, November 20, 1862, Stewarts Creek, Tennessee, “Jno. T. Morgan, Col[onel] Commanding,” a partly printed “Morning Report of 1^st Regiment Ala[bama] Partisans.”

While post-war autographs and letters by Morgan are plentiful and inexpensive, war-date examples are seldom seen.  Separation, with no loss of paper, at one of several vertical folds.

Signature & Rank, “E.O.C. Ord, Maj[or] Gen[eral] Com[man]d[in]g,” on a 1 ½” x 2 ¾” slip of paper, removed from a letter.

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, on separate leaves of a folded, officially imprinted 5” x 8” letter-sheet, tipped to heavier backing.  From his post in San Francisco, Ord recommends a twice-wounded Civil War veteran for the consideration of Civil War Colonel John McLean Taylor, who was brevetted to the rank of brigadier general just two months later.

“Head Quarters Department of California, San Francisco, Cal[ifornia], Jan[uar]y 3^rd 1869.  Col[onel] J. McL Taylor.  The bearer Mr. Ulrich – was wounded twice during the war, he served under my command and I think him entirely reliable and sober – his business is that of a miller & he can grade and assort flour.  The idea struck me that he is out of employment and strong enough to work in your store house – He would be useful as a flour inspector of your own.  If you can find a place for him please do so.  Yours &c. &c.  E.O.C. Ord.”

Excellent, with the expected folds.

Autograph Letter Signed, 4 ½” x 7 ¼”.  With the pencil notation in an unknown hand at the upper edge, “To D[octo]r Richard Bright,” indicating Parry’s wish to arrange an appointment with his physician. 

From Wikipedia: Richard Bright (28 September 1789 – 16 December 1858) was an English physician and early pioneer in the research of kidney disease. He is particularly known for his description of Bright's disease.

Admiralty
18^th Jan[uar]y 1843

Dear Sir,

I am desirous of consulting you again respecting my health, and as you proposed my calling in Saville Row some morning, if necessary.  I will take the liberty of doing so on Friday at 10 o’clock, if I do not hear from you to the contrary.

Y[ou]rs very faithfully,
Wm. Edward Parry

Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds; old mounting remnants on the reverse.

Letter Signed, 7 ½” x 8 ½”, on beautifully imprinted official stationery as Florida governor.  Addressing New York Governor David B. Hill, Perry recommends one Robert W. Givin for a position as commissioner of deeds.

Executive Office, Tallahassee, Fl[orid]a
Feb[ruar]y 12^th 1886

To His Excellency
David B. Hill
Governor of New York

Sir:

I have the honor to say that Mr. Robert W. Givin of Sanford, Orange Co[unty] Florida is so recommended to me that I take pleasure in recommending him to you as a fit person to be Commissioner of Deeds for your State in Florida.

Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
E.A. Perry
Governor

Lightly and evenly toned, with original mailing folds; old mounting hinges at the corners on the reverse.

Document Signed, 2 ½” x 6 ¼”, January 10, 1859, “R.B Rhett...” a partly printed receipt for a one-year subscription to the Charleston Mercury, Rhett’s firebrand secessionist newspaper.

Light wear at the edges, with scattered staining and three vertical folds.

Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 9 ¾”, April 4, 1856, “D.A. Russell, Capt[ain] 4^th In[fantr]y Com[man]d[in]g “K Comp[any],” a manuscript requisition for “Camp & Garrison Equipage” at Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory, received of Major Robert Selden Garnett of the 9^th U.S. Infantry.  A veteran of the Mexican and Indian Wars, future Confederate General Robert S. Garnett was the first general officer to be killed in action during the American Civil War.

Tipped at the edges to slightly larger backing; old mounting pinholes along the left edge; two light horizontal folds.

SCHURZ, CARL (1829-1906) Prussian-born Union Major General; U.S. Interior Secretary – 1877-81; U.S. Senator – Missouri – 1869-75; Veteran of the German Revolutions of 1848-49

RAMSEY, ALEXANDER (1815-1903) First Governor of Minnesota Territory – 1849-53; Governor of Minnesota – 1860-63; U.S. Senator – Minnesota – 1863-75; U.S. Representative – Minnesota – 1843-47; U.S. Secretary of War – 1879-81

Signature, “C. Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, April 14, 1880,” on a 4 ¼” x 6 ¾” album page.  The reverse bears the dated signature of Schurz’s colleague in the cabinet of President Rutherford B. Hayes, “Alex. Ramsey, Sec[retar]y of War, April 14, 1880.”

Lightly and evenly toned, with a spot of ink above the signature of Ramsey.

Civil War-Date Autograph Endorsement Signed

Autograph Endorsement Signed, on a 1 ¼” x 3” portion of a larger document, “H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs Anderson’s Brigade, Oct[ober] 11^th 1863.  Resp[ectfull]y forwarded Approved, J.H. Sharp, Col[onel] & c.”

Light wear, with a few light folds and pinholes.  A rare autograph, this being only the second that we have offered for sale in the past thirty years.

From Kansas Territory shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, Jeb Stuart and two other future generals - Union & Confederate - urge leniency for a deserter.

Autograph Letter Signed, 1 ¼ pages, front and reverse of an 8” x 10” sheet.  Addressing the “…Ass[istan]t Adj[utan]t Gen[era]l U.S.A.  H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs Dep[artmen]t of the West, St. Louis, Mo.,” Stuart urges clemency in the case of an accused deserter.  Interestingly further mentioned are the concurring endorsement of Lieutenant James Deshler, later a Confederate Brigadier General, killed in action at the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863, and suspension of a portion of the accused’s sentence by future Union Major General Edward R.S. Canby.

Fort Wise, K[ansas] T[erritory]Nov[embe]r 8^th 1860

Sir:

I have the honor to apply for the remission of so much of P[ri]v[a]t[e] Jno. Harrington’s (Co[mpany] H 10^th Inf[antr]y) sentence as relates to confinement and stoppage of pay the remission to take effect the 20^th of Oct[obe]r – the date of the arrival of his company at this post.

P[ri]v[a]t[e] H is now undergoing sentence of a Gen[eral] C[our]t Martial at Camp Floyd U.S. (see G[eneral] O[rder] No. 8 H[ea]d Q[uarte]rs Dep[artmen]t of U.S. dated Apr[il] 20^th 1859).  His conduct during the march from Utah to Fort Garland N[ew] M[exico] was so exemplary that the com[man]d[in]g officer (Col[onel] [Edward R.S.] Canby) suspended so much of his sentence as related to confinement until further orders.  His conduct since arriving at this post has been particularly good and I am the more convinced of this being a case deserving the clemency of the Dep[artmen]t Commander by the high character given him by his late comp[an]y Commander (Lieut[enant] Deshler) who seconds very warmly this petition for remission of sentence.

[over]

The sentence awarded is herewith enclosed.

Very Respectfully
Your Ob[edien]t s[er]v[an]t
J.E.B Stuart
1^st L[ieutenan]t 1^st Cav[alry]
Com[man]d[in]g Co[mpany] H 10^th Inf[antr]y

Excellent overall, with light toning and the expected horizontal folds.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

THOMAS, GEORGE HENRY (1816-70)  Union Major General during the American Civil War, known as the “Rock of Chickamauga”; Veteran of the Mexican War

MACKAY, ANDREW JACKSON (1827-1901)  Union Brevet Brigadier General; Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Cumberland

Document Signed, 7 ¾” x 10”, partly printed, April 30, 1863, “Geo[rge] H. Thomas, Maj[or] Gen[era]l U[nited] S[tates] V[olunteers], a requisition for “One Wall Tent Complete.”  Countersigned by Chief Quartermaster General Andrew J. Mackay, later brevetted brigadier general for Civil War service, and Captain John Payne Willard, formerly of early-war service in the 31^st Wisconsin Infantry.

Lightly and evenly toned, with a few scattered stains and the expected horizontal folds.

Signature & Sentiment, “Very Respectfully, J.P. Usher,” on a 2 ¼” x 4 ½” slip of paper.

Affixed to backing of the same dimension; light toning and soiling.

Signature, “J.P. Usher,” a frank on a 1 ¾” x 3 ¾” portion of an imprinted envelope as U.S. Interior Secretary.

Light toning and soiling, with several light fold lines.

Civil War-Date Document Signed

Document Signed, 8” x 10 ¼”, December 31, 1863, an official form as U.S. Interior Secretary, “J.P. Usher,” authorizing a pension to the mother of a Union soldier, Simon D. Rounseville of the 3^rd Massachusetts Infantry.  A resident of Freetown, Massachusetts, Rounseville died of disease there on June 19, 1863.

Lightly and evenly toned, with minor staining and two horizontal folds.