Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Washington, DC, October 5, 1864
Civil War-Dated Doc Signed by Thomas Vincent, Who Witnessed Abraham Lincoln's Death & "Coined" the Dead President
PPDS

A 2pp partly printed and partly manuscript document issued from the War Department Adjutant General's Office during the Civil War, boldly signed by Assistant Adjutant General Thomas McCurdy Vincent (1832-1909) as "Thomas M Vincent" at lower right recto. October 5, 1864. Washington, D.C. The first page includes a list of helpful regulations for injured or invalided soldiers, while the second page entitled "Form of Certificate for Absence on account of Sickness" is left blank. The name of the soldier who had applied for medical leave is inscribed at lower left recto. A few scattered marks in red colored pencil can be found on both sides. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some well-creased and with tiny margin splits. Isolated edge darkening and foxing, else near fine. Unfolded measures 8.625" x 13.875."

Thomas M. Vincent served in the War Department in a vital administrative capacity from 1861-1865, overseeing recruitment, organization, mustering out, and demobilization. In this capacity, he also oversaw approved medical absence requests.

This document acknowledged receipt of the sick leave request submitted on behalf of Lieutenant Samuel M. Lake of the 7th Regiment Indiana Cavalry on September 24, 1864. Since the 7th Cavalry had mustered in at Indianapolis in early October 1863, Lake and his fellow officers and enlisted men had been assigned to nearly 20 different locations in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, mostly as compliments to expeditions.

General Vincent, an Ohio native and career soldier, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1853 and served in Florida and New York before the Civil War. Vincent's mastery of logistics stood him in good stead as Assistant Adjutant General of recruitment, organization, mustering out, and miscellaneous volunteer army business. In an article entitled "By the Man who Closed Mr. Lincoln's Eyes in Death" published in the "New York Sunday American" in 1909, Vincent recalled that he had daily interactions with President Lincoln, who personally inquired about recruitment figures.

In the same article, Vincent provided a firsthand account of Lincoln's death. A little after 10 pm on April 14, 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln's cousin Dr. Lyman Beecher Todd stopped at Vincent's house to tell him that Lincoln had been shot at Ford's Theatre. Shortly thereafter, Vincent hurried over to Petersen's Boarding House, where, at Secretary of War Edwin Stanton's request, he stayed by his side during the all-night vigil. At 1:30 am on April 15th, Vincent helped Secretary Stanton draft the formal notification to Vice President Andrew Johnson informing him that Lincoln's wound was fatal. Lincoln expired at 7:22 am. After Stanton left, Vincent remained behind as the Secretary's representative to prepare the President's body for transport to the White House. Vincent recalled: "It was about this time that, after pressing and smoothing the eyes of the dead President, I placed coins upon them for a last long slumber…"

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: unfolded: 8.625" x 13.875"
  • Medium: PPDS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$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