Show off your signed documents

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

These types of threads get a lot of involvement, so I thought I'd get one started for signatures/autographs of notable ACW-era figures.

I recently picked up this small piece of pre-war Robert E. Lee history: a printed U.S. government voucher for Fort Hamilton, New York, made out to Alexander Birkbeck & Son for brass "composition" hinges, copper bolts, cast-iron items, a file, and labor fitting the hinges, totaling $103.45. The goods were supplied on May 20, 1846, and the vendor's receipt, dated June 2, 1846, acknowledges payment from "Captain R. E. Lee, of the Corps of Engineers," whose name is printed on the form. On the reverse, Lee certified the bill signing "R E Lee, Capt Engrs" (Captain of Engineers). At the time he was the engineer in charge of the harbor defenses at the Narrows, including Fort Hamilton, Fort Lafayette, and the Staten Island batteries. He had only one clerk for all four sites and did much of the bookkeeping himself. Less than three months after signing this voucher, Lee received orders to report to General Wool in San Antonio, the start of the Mexican War service that first made his reputation. For many years Fort Hamilton had a General Lee Avenue but after the Army's Confederate base-naming review, General Lee Avenue was renamed John Warren Avenue (I believe in 2023).

 

[JackADriscoll]

It's not great but it's sign by direction of john Magruder to john aycock of texas rangers

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

It's not great but it's sign by direction of john Magruder to john aycock of texas rangers

Thanks for sharing that Jack. I wonder if it would be worth it to permanently mount that on some kind of thicker card stock, assuming of course that there is nothing of great meaning on the other side???

 

[Radar14]

Wartime requisition document signed by John C. Tidball. Most of my stuff is postwar, but I'm fond of this one.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

Wartime requisition document signed by John C. Tidball. Most of my stuff is postwar, but I'm fond of this one.

Cool Tidball signature. Most in-war documents I see are usually 2x, 3x, or more depending on who it is, so I hear you.

 

[Radar14]

Cool Tidball signature. Most in-war documents I see are usually 2x, 3x, or more depending on who it is, so I hear you.

My niche is artillery, so it's sometimes harder to find unless you know what you're looking for. I have a nice early war document from the 5th U.S. Artillery while it was being mustered-in in Pennsylvania. Signed by both Truman Seymour and Henry A. DuPont.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Thanks for sharing that Jack. I wonder if it would be worth it to permanently mount that on some kind of thicker card stock, assuming of course that there is nothing of great meaning on the other side???

I just got this. That's the next move.

 

[civil_war_study]

Here is a new piece I recently picked up. It is a note written by future president Rutherford B. Hayes as Brigadier General. He wrote it several days before Lee's surrender.

Transcription:
Camp Hastings
29th March 1865
Sir
I have the honor to be
Respectfully Your obed servant,
R B Hayes
Brig Genl.

Love this thread idea, I never know where to post autographs/signed documents!

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

Here is a new piece I recently picked up. It is a note written by future president Rutherford B. Hayes as Brigadier General. He wrote it several days before Lee's surrender.

Transcription:
Camp Hastings
29th March 1865
Sir
I have the honor to be
Respectfully Your obed servant,
R B Hayes
Brig Genl.

Love this thread idea, I never know where to post autographs/signed documents!

View attachment 593435

Great in-war period document and looks to be in great shape. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[NYROX]

From the Lustyik collection:


OCR Transcription
(Cipher)Head Quarters Armies of the United States,City Point Va. Aug. 1st 1864

Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington.

I am sending Gen. Sheridan for temporary duty whilst the enemy is being expelled from the border.

Unless Gen. H — — is in the field in person I want Sheridan put in command of all the troops in the field with instructions to put himself south of the enemy and follow him to the death. Wherever the enemy goes let our troops go also. Once started up the valley they ought to be followed until we get possession of the Va. Central Rail Road. If Gen. Hunter is in the field give Sheridan direct command of the 6th Corps and Cav'y Division. All the Cavalry I presume will reach Washington in the course of to-morrow.

U. S. Grant
Lt. Gen.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Here is a new piece I recently picked up. It is a note written by future president Rutherford B. Hayes as Brigadier General. He wrote it several days before Lee's surrender.

Transcription:
Camp Hastings
29th March 1865
Sir
I have the honor to be
Respectfully Your obed servant,
R B Hayes
Brig Genl.

Love this thread idea, I never know where to post autographs/signed documents!

View attachment 593435

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Here is a new piece I recently picked up. It is a note written by future president Rutherford B. Hayes as Brigadier General. He wrote it several days before Lee's surrender.

Transcription:
Camp Hastings
29th March 1865
Sir
I have the honor to be
Respectfully Your obed servant,
R B Hayes
Brig Genl.

Love this thread idea, I never know where to post autographs/signed documents!

View attachment 593435

Wow! I would love to have that one. I served as an officer on the ship named after President Hayes' estate, the USS Spiegel Grove.
Direct message me if you want to sell it.

 

[civil_war_study]

View attachment 592145View attachment 592146View attachment 592147

These types of threads get a lot of involvement, so I thought I'd get one started for signatures/autographs of notable ACW-era figures.

I recently picked up this small piece of pre-war Robert E. Lee history: a printed U.S. government voucher for Fort Hamilton, New York, made out to Alexander Birkbeck & Son for brass "composition" hinges, copper bolts, cast-iron items, a file, and labor fitting the hinges, totaling $103.45. The goods were supplied on May 20, 1846, and the vendor's receipt, dated June 2, 1846, acknowledges payment from "Captain R. E. Lee, of the Corps of Engineers," whose name is printed on the form. On the reverse, Lee certified the bill signing "R E Lee, Capt Engrs" (Captain of Engineers). At the time he was the engineer in charge of the harbor defenses at the Narrows, including Fort Hamilton, Fort Lafayette, and the Staten Island batteries. He had only one clerk for all four sites and did much of the bookkeeping himself. Less than three months after signing this voucher, Lee received orders to report to General Wool in San Antonio, the start of the Mexican War service that first made his reputation. For many years Fort Hamilton had a General Lee Avenue but after the Army's Confederate base-naming review, General Lee Avenue was renamed John Warren Avenue (I believe in 2023).

To complement your pre-war Lee signature, I have these you might find interesting.

Six months after the death of Robert E. Lee, young autograph collector David W. Jagger of New York writes to Lee's oldest son, George Washington Custis Lee, asking for his father's autograph.

Letter transcription:
-
Lexington, Va.,
10 May, 1871.
Dear sir,
Your note of the 5th inst. was received yesterday; and, although having but few of my father's autographs left, I send you one of them in accordance with your request.
Very respectfully
G.W.C. Lee

David W. Jagger Esq
Newburgh, N.Y.
-
G.W.C. Lee was the executor of his father's will, so I'm sure he got lots of requests like this.

 

[Private Joseph]

1818 Presidential appointment signed by John C. Calhoun. The cadet, John G. Reynolds, as a Major would lead a Marine Battalion at First Bull Run.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

From the Lustyik collection:


OCR Transcription
(Cipher)Head Quarters Armies of the United States,City Point Va. Aug. 1st 1864

Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington.

I am sending Gen. Sheridan for temporary duty whilst the enemy is being expelled from the border.

Unless Gen. H — — is in the field in person I want Sheridan put in command of all the troops in the field with instructions to put himself south of the enemy and follow him to the death. Wherever the enemy goes let our troops go also. Once started up the valley they ought to be followed until we get possession of the Va. Central Rail Road. If Gen. Hunter is in the field give Sheridan direct command of the 6th Corps and Cav'y Division. All the Cavalry I presume will reach Washington in the course of to-morrow.

U. S. Grant
Lt. Gen.

View attachment 593481

Outstanding piece.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

Here is one of my recent favorites.

A parole slip for Private Henry G. Pollard of Company C, 53rd Massachusetts Infantry.

It is dated 29 June, 1863 and was issued in Brashear City, Louisiana.

I assumed he was captured during the siege of Port Hudson… but his CSR's show a card entry for May/June bearing the remark that 'May 15th - sick in New Orleans' - followed by an entry on a September card that he 'rejoined the company from sickness, August 12, 1863 - (missing his?) haversack and canteen'

So, I've got some research to do.

Regardless, it bears the signature of George Wythe Baylor - who additionally annotated 'Col. Baylor's Partisan Rangers'.

Baylor - among many other things - was the man who killed MG John Wharton - and later was a notable Texas Ranger.

 

[NYROX]

Outstanding piece.

Eventually they will be sold. I wanted to make sure some of these things are seen by regular people, not just rich collectors.

 

[J. Horace]

Original telegram sent to Governor advising of Jackson's wounding.

 

[J. Horace]

Original telegram sent to Smith's sister at the Central Presbyterian notifying her of Jackson's death.

 

[Missouri_8th_Infantry]

Eventually they will be sold. I wanted to make sure some of these things are seen by regular people, not just rich collectors.

When and where is the collection being sold off?