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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Autograph Letter Signed, on 6” x 9” Indianapolis, Indiana hotel stationery; no year, but from later life, sending condolences to an old friend.

“May 31.

Dear Mrs. Nyeth,

My nephew Ed Adam gave me your address yesterday, so I am writing you to give you my heartly [sic] Sympathy in the loss of your dear father.  He was my oldest & best friend & we all loved him.

God be with you,
Jno. L. Clem.
__________________________________

Lightly and evenly toned, with two horizontal folds and a few tiny tears at the edges.

Document Signed, 8 ¼” x 10”, an early manuscript Frederick County, Maryland court filing, recommending the admission of a man as an attorney; docketed “15^th February 1811” on the reverse.         

“To the Hon[ora]ble the Judges of Frederick County Court.  The subscribers appointed by the court to report on the application of Mr. Addison White to be admitted as a member of the Bar, do hereby respectfully certify to the court that it is their opinion Mr. White should be admitted to qualify as an attorney of Frederick County Court.  John Harison Thomas.  R.B. Taney.”

Exhibiting the usual folds and light toning, with heavier wear, staining, and chipping at the corners and edges.

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.

Autograph Letter Signed, 8” x 10”.  As a second-term U.S. representative from New York, Fillmore solicits Secretary of War Joel Poinsett in the discharge of a constituent’s son from his enlistment.  A lengthy report on the reverse is signed by longtime U.S. Army Adjutant General Roger Jones.

“House of Rep[resentatives]
July 6, 1840

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose a letter from James Sheldon, Esq[uire], a counsellor at Law residing in the city of Buffalo, N.Y. with an affidavit of Mr. & Mrs. Brooks, on which they ask to have his son, a lad of 18, discharged from his enlistment into the merited Service of that place.

As I shall soon leave, your earliest attention to this application will greatly oblige,

Your most ob[edien]t ser[van]t,
Millard Fillmore

Hon[orable] J.R. Poinsett

P.S. Please return Mr. Sheldon’s letter.”

Somewhat heavier toning from past matting at the edges; an old tear at the upper right corner, along with clean separation at the edges of two horizontal folds, is repaired on the reverse; several chips at the left edge and corner of the integral leaf.

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.

Signed Photograph, “Arno Breker,” a 4” x 5 ¾” postally unused postcard.  Black & white.

Excellent.

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.

Civil War-Date Signature