Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Washington, DC, September 9, 1861
Abraham Lincoln Signed War-Dated Military Appointment of Irish-Born Career Soldier
PPDS
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Partially Printed Document Signed, "Abraham Lincoln", as president, 1p, on vellum, 14" x 17.5" (sight), Washington City, September 9, 1861, appointing Leslie Smith as "Second Lieutenant in first Regiment of Infantry". Countersigned by Simon Cameron (1799-1889) as secretary of war. Blind embossed blue paper seal affixed at upper left. Handsome martial vignettes at top and bottom. Docket of recording by Adjutant General's Office at top left corner. Attractively matted and framed to an overall size of 21.5" x 25.75". Expected folds and creases with wrinkling throughout. Light age toning with a few areas of discoloration. In near fine condition.

A native of Ireland, Leslie Smith (1826-1907) served in the U.S. Army from 1849 until his discharge in 1854. Soon afterward he was appointed paymaster's clerk, holding this position until 1861, with most of his time being spent in Texas. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Smith reenlisted in the Union Army on April 29, 1861, and the following day was appointed Second Lieutenant, as noted in the here offered document. In April 1862, he was commissioned a captain and, by war's end, a major by brevet. Following the war, Smith remained in the army and retired from service in 1889.

Military appointments signed by Simon Cameron are more uncommon, as he served for only a ten-month-long period as U.S. Secretary of War, between March 1861 and January 1862. More prevalent are those appointments signed by Cameron's successor, Edwin M. Stanton.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 21.5" x 25.75"
  • Artist Name:
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Medium:
  • PPDS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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