Description:

Civil War
Macon, GA, ca. March-August 1865
CSA Pass Issued to Reach the Sec. of War on the Day Lincoln is Shot with Related Items
Archive

A small archive of documents related to Elijah Hawkins, aide de camp to CSA General Gustavus Woodson Smith, evidencing the desperate days prior to the surrender of Georgia and Hawkins' pardon by President Andrew Johnson. Most notable in the group is an ADS by General Smith serving as a pass for Hawkins to travel to North Carolina to deliver a message to the Secretary of War dated April 14, 1865 – the very day Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford's Theater. Also present is a leave of absence from March 1865, Hawkins' parole received at Macon, a sixteenth plate tintype of Hawkins, and his pardon received months later in August 1865 with a stamped signature by Andrew Johnson. All documents in very good condition showing minimal wear. The tintype retains good detail, although the case has split.

Most significant is an ADS by CSA General Gustavus W. Smith. One page, 7.4" x 8.25", "Hd Qrtrs. 1st Div. Ga. [Georgia] Militia, Macon," April 14, 1865. Smith writes out a travel pass for Hawkins: "Military Authorities will please pass my Aide de Camp, Capt. E. Hawkins; bearer of communication from myself to the Hon. Secretary of War, to Charlotte, North Carolina, or whatever point he may be at, and return. G.W. Smith / Maj. Genl."

By April 14, 1865, news of Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox had already reached Smith. He had 4000 Georgia Militia under his command at Macon and was surrounded by far superior Union forces. He had sent multiple communications to John C. Breckenridge (CSA Secretary of War), including the one referenced in this pass; but all went unanswered. Hawkins' pass records his travels from Macon, Georgia to Danville, Virginia (already evacuated by the CS government) and then to Abbeville, SC; from there to Pomaria, SC.

After the fall of Richmond, the CSA government moved to Danville, but by the time Hawkins arrived, they had evacuated south to Charlotte, NC. Although the pass directs him to Charlotte, Hawkins first goes to Danville – perhaps because earlier attempts to reach Breckenridge in Charlotte had been unsuccessful. There is a note written perpendicularly granting travel from Macon to Washington (GA), with a stamp beneath recording travel in kind to Abbeville dated April 21, 1865. It is unclear when Hawkins returned to Macon, but Smith surrendered to Union forces under General Wilson on April 20, 1865.

That Hawkins returned to Macon is evidenced by his parole issued there and dated May 9, 1865. The partially printed document measures 8.25" x 5.5" and identifies him as a captain on "Gen G W Smith's Staff." Signed at bottom by James Moore as acting Provost Marshal.

Also present in this group is Hawkins' pardon dated August 4, 1865. The pardon fills two pages of a bifolium measuring 10.6" x 17.25" and bears the stamped signature of Andrew Johnson. Countersigned in live ink by William Hunter. Due to the large number of pardons granted under President Johnson's May 29, 1865 Amnesty Proclamation, a great many were issued with a stamped signature. For the same reason, although William Seward had returned to his duties as Secretary of State in June, Hunter signed this one on his behalf.

Lastly, there is a leave of absence received by Hawkins dated March 11, 1865 and a cased sixteenth plate of Hawkins in civilian clothes.

A fine group that follows the efforts of a loyal CSA officer at the close of the Civil War!

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: largest: 10.6" x 17.25"
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