Lot 41

Andrew Johnson Helps a Confederate "prisoner whose death sentence" Avoid the Noose! Pristine

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Andrew Johnson Helps a Confederate "prisoner whose death sentence" Avoid the Noose! Pristine

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000

Current Bid: $1,100

(2 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Andrew Johnson
Washington, DC, August 30, 1865
Andrew Johnson Helps a Confederate "prisoner whose death sentence" Avoid the Noose! Pristine
DS

Andrew Johnson (1808-1875). Manuscript document elegantly penned in a secretarial hand and signed by President Johnson as "Andrew Johnson Pres," 1p, on ruled stationery measuring 7.75" x 9.625", Washington, DC, August 30, 1865. To Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869). Expected transmittal folds and creases. Short closed tear at upper edge. Scattered foxing and light soiling. In near fine condition.

From the "Executive Office," in full:

"It is ordered that Samuel Davis alias Willoughby Cummings, a prisoner whose death sentence by a General Court Martial, has been commuted into confinement during the War, and who is now confined in the Albany Penitentiary, be conveyed to Fort Warren and there imprisoned until the term of his sentence expires, or further order. The Secretary of War will issue the necessary orders in the case."

Samuel Boyer Davis (1843-1914) was a Confederate soldier who was captured in 1864 after having assumed the identity of a civilian using an alias, "Willoughby Cummings." Union soldiers recognized him as an enemy soldier, resulting in Davis being tried by court martial and sentenced to be executed. President Lincoln stayed the execution of the sentence, allowing Davis to remain in prison until the end of the War. Davis was released in December 1865.

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: 7.75" x 9.625"
  • Medium: DS

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
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$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000