Description:

John Gibbon
[Near Petersburg, VA], March 3, 1865
General J. Gibbon AES for an Engineer During the Siege of Petersburg
AES

John Gibbon lengthy AES on verso of a letter requesting a commission for an engineer. Letter is 1 p. of a bifolium, 7.625" x 9.75"; "Headquarters Army of the James" [outside of Petersburg]; March 3, 1865. Peter S. Michie writes to Reuben E. Fenton, Governor of New York, requesting George Brown be made a "Second Lieutenant in the 1st N.Y. Vol. Engineers." Gibbon writes in full: "Hd. Qr. A. of the James. March 3d 1865. Approved & respectfully forwarded to His Excellency Gov Fenton with earnest request that this appointment be made. John Gibbon / Maj. Genl. Vols. Comdg." Light toning and toning along the exterior folds, otherwise very good.

From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

By the start of March 1865, the Siege of Petersburg had reached its final, grinding phase. Engineers were indispensable in the construction of fortifications, roads, bridges, and the intricate network of approaches that allowed Union forces to inch closer to enemy lines under protection. The 1st NY Volunteer Engineers, to which George Brown was commissioned, played a particularly active role, supervising working parties of infantry and performing skilled labor themselves. Their continuous efforts under fire helped sustain the siege and enabled the coordinated assaults in late March and early April that ultimately forced the fall of the city.

George Brown mustered into "H" Co. New York 115th Infantry on August 28, 1863. The commission requested in this letter was approved by Governor Fenton. Brown was discharged for promotion on March 24,1865 and commissioned that same day into "B" Co. New York 1st Engineers.

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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