Description:

McKinley William 1843 - 1901 Rare Brigadier General of Volunteers Appointment of a Civil War Medal of Honor Winner with his Sixth Infantry insignia, most likely worn during his heroic deeds
Partly Engraved Document Signed "William McKinley" as President, "R.A. Alger" as Secretary of War, and recorded "H.C. Corbin" as Adjutant General, 1 page, 15.5" x 19.25". Washington, D.C., January 3, 1899. On parchment. Completed in manuscript. Military vignettes at top center and across bottom. Blue seal of the War Office affixed at lower left. Dark signatures! Lightly rippled, light soiling at blank lower right. Fine condition.


Appointment of William M. Wherry "Brigadier General of Volunteers in the service of the United States: to rank as such from the twenty-first day of September, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight‰Û_"

Russell A. Alger (1836-1907) was McKinley's Secretary of War from 1897-1899. He was brevetted Major General of Volunteers by President Andrew Johnson to rank from June 11, 1865. Promoted to Major General in 1900 and Lieutenant General in 1909, Major General Henry C. Corbin served as Adjutant General of the U.S. Army from 1898-1904.

William M. Wherry (1836-1918), First Lieutenant, Company D, 3rd U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry, received the Medal of Honor for actions at the Battle of Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861. The citation was issued on October 30, 1895: "Displayed conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire." At the onset of the Spanish American War, Wherry took command of the 2nd Infantry when regimental commander Col. Bates was promoted. He commanded the regiment until he was promoted to colonel of the 8th Infantry on August 30, 1898.

Also present:

(1) William M. Wherry's embroidered "6" with oak leaves at left and right identifying the Sixth U.S. Infantry, on cloth - approximately 4.5" x 3.5" - of which Brigadier General of Volunteers William M. Wherry was Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Nathaniel Lyon when Lyon became the first Union General to be killed in the Civil War, in the Battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861.

(2) Partly Printed Letter Signed "A.H. Pugh" as Secretary, The Ohio Society of the Sons of the Revolution, 1 page, 8.5" x 10.5". Washington, January 9, 1899. To Lieut. Col. Wm. Mackey Wherry informing him that "you were duly elected a member of the Society."

(3) Cabinet Photograph of William M. Wherry in uniform, 4" x 5.75" image, overall 4.25" x 6.25". Lower mount trimmed. Photograph by Gurney.

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