Description:

Civil War
various, various
Civil War Archive Over 35 items, Autographs, Letter Groups and General Orders
Archive
A good archive, comprising items from prominent Union generals and naval leaders (and one Confederate) in various formats; a correspondence regarding the attempt of a Brigadier General to secure the Medal of Honor he feels he deserves; a letter group regarding one Major's attempt to be paid after an honorable discharge; and General Orders. Individuals details are listed below.

Includes: A superb archive relative to Brigadier General John Corson Smith's attempt to secure the Medal of Honor, comprising four letters, together with a mourning card for Smith's passing and a portrait engraving. In overall very good condition.

The centerpiece of this archive is a lengthy and fine content autograph letter signed by Brigadier General John Corson Smith (1832-1910) Smith, four pages, 8.25" x 13.25", Chicago, November 13, 1902, to Elihu Root. Smith makes the case for his award, in extreme small part: "…During the Tullahoma Campaign of the Army of the Cumberland ending in the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19th & 20th, 1863, I was Major of the 96th Regt. Ills. Vols. Infty. serving on the Staff of Brig. Gen. James B. Steedman, commanding 1st Div. Reserve Corps Army of the Cumberland. During the movements of the Army, before and after the battle as well as in the fighting September 19th & 20th, I was with and close by Gen. Steedman endeavoring to do my duty as a soldier. How well I did it my corps commander, Gen. George Granger, tells in his report of that battle when naming the staff officers of General Steedman. Page 857. Series/Vol. XXX, Part I reports War of the Rebellion…".

Offered with: three typed letters signed: the first is directed to Smith by the Record and Pension Office, Washington, Oct. 13, 1903, and informs him that: "…a medal of honor cannot be awarded to a person not in the military service of the United States unless an application or recommendation for the award of a medal to him was made while he was in the military service…". A second heartbreaking letter is written to Smith from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, Feb. 2, 1904, informing him that: "…Since receipt of your letter…I was informed by General Ainsworth that the decision there was final, and that under the law and the decision of the President, a medal of honor was unobtainable there…".

John Corson Smith (1832-1910) was, in addition to his actions at Chickamauga, brevetted for his bravery at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain during which he was severely wounded. After the war, he served as State Treasurer for Illinois from 1870-1881, thence Lieutenant Governor from 1886-1889.

This archive also includes:

1. General Charles S. Lovell: document regarding a paroled POW, May 1865

2. Three war-date letters in which Thomas McManus, late Major of the 25th Regiment Connecticut Vols., attempts to be paid for transportation after his honorable discharge in October, 1863.

3. Naval Commander Edgar B. Merriman: post-war A.L.S.

4. Rear Admiral John Marston: signature on a small slip

5. General James Briscoe: signature on a tiny slip

6. Rear Admiral Samuel L. Breese: signature on a small slip

7. Confederate General Charles E. Scott: signature on a small slip

8. General Robert Avery: post-war A.L.S.

9. General Thomas Allcock: war-date document regarding supplies, April 1864

10. Colonel Noah Jeffries: signature on a small slip

11. General Verplanck S. Van Antwerp: signature on a small slip, slit and in need of repair

12. Commodore William H. Macomb: receipt, 1844

13. General Harry White: signature on a small slip

14. Rear Admiral Richard W. Meade, III: signature on a small slip

15. Benjamin Le Fevre: signature on a sheet

Together with: 15 printed General Orders, varying dates and subjects.

Please see our terms regarding lots containing five items or more.

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: 8" x 13"
  • Medium: Archive

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