Description:

Fantastic Lincoln Note Addresses Fallout from Problematic Daniel Sickles of New York

This brief note asks the Secretary of War to have Dr. Tingley examined for the position of brigade surgeon. Dr. William H. Tingley (1823-1865) studied medicine at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and enlisted as a surgeon in the 70th New York Infantry on May 15, 1861, in New York City, for a period of three years or the war. The 70th New York was one of five infantry regiments raised by former Congressman Daniel Sickles that formed part of the Excelsior Brigade, commanded by the provocative Sickles.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Autograph Note Signed, to Secretary of War (Simon Cameron / Edwin M. Stanton), January 13, 1862, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 3.25" x 2". General toning; residue on verso from previous mounting; very good.

Complete Transcript
Sec. of War, please put the bearer, Dr Tingley in the proper way to be examined for a Brigade Surgeon.
A. Lincoln
Jan 13, 1862

Historical Background
While a member of the New York State Assembly, Daniel Sickles had been censured for escorting a known prostitute into the Assembly's chambers. He became nationally famous when he shot and killed his wife's lover Philip Barton Key II, son of Francis Scott Key, in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C. He perhaps became more notorious when he successfully pleaded temporary insanity to defend against the charge of murder. He then publicly forgave and reconciled with his wife, which proved even more controversial with the public.

Dr. Tingley resigned from the 70th New York on August 31, 1861, likely because Sickles was in a turf war with New York Governor Edwin Morgan. Both ambitious men claimed the authority to appoint officers to the Excelsior Brigade. Morgan claimed the right under general state authority to raise volunteer regiments, while Sickles insisted that he had the right because President Lincoln had accepted the brigade under federal authority in May. When Morgan sent commissions to officers in the brigade approved by the State Military Board, Sickles intercepted and destroyed them. Tingley complained to New York Adjutant General Thomas Hillhouse in the spring of 1862 that "Sickles had destroyed the commissions sent to his officers by Gov. Morgan, declaring that he would have no officer in his command who would hold one from the Governor." Therefore, "I who wish to serve under the state of New York have been fraudulently deprived of my commission to gratify Sickles hostility to Gov. Morgan."

Dr. Tingley likely explained this situation to President Lincoln on January 13 as well, prompting Lincoln to write this note. Two days earlier, Lincoln had written to Secretary of War Simon Cameron that he was ready to accept Cameron's long-expressed wish to resign and offered him the position of Minister to Russia. Cameron responded the same day, accepting Lincoln's offer. The President forwarded the nomination of Cameron as Minister to Russia and of Edwin M. Stanton as Secretary of War to the Senate on January 13, the same day he wrote this note. With Senate approval, Lincoln appointed Stanton on January 15 and Cameron on January 17.

On January 16, Tingley received a new commission as surgeon, with rank to date from June 29, 1861. Whether Cameron, Stanton, or another War Department official acted on Lincoln's directive in this transition period remains unclear. There is no record of Tingley's continued military service, and he appears in an 1863 census as a physician in Philadelphia.

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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