Description:

Anderson Robert 1910 - 1989 General Robert Anderson signed one month after surrendering Ft. Sumter, with great provenance

Clipped signature of Robert Anderson (1805-1871) on cream paper, inscribed "Yours sincerely, Robert Anderson, U.S. Army" and written in Philadelphia on May 11, 1861. Card measures 5.875" x 5". Bold and clear handwriting not affected by minor toning to right and bottom edge. The accompanying inscription by another hand reads: "Major Robert Anderson, who defended Fort Sumter at the memorable bombardment which opened the Rebellion. This autograph was written when he reached Philadelphia on his return from the South after the bombardment."

Robert Anderson was a soldier's soldier and became one of the earliest Union heroes in the Civil War. After his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1821, Anderson served as a career officer, seeing action in the 1832 Black Hawk War and Mexican War (1846-47) before his most famous appointment as defender of federal fortifications in the Charleston area. Anderson and his troops endured a 34-hour long bombardment by Confederate artillery before surrendering the Union-held fort on April 13, 1861. This attack by Confederate forces, and President Lincoln's subsequent call for Union volunteers, is often seen as the short-term cause of the Civil War. In recognition of his valiant defense of the fort, Anderson was lionized by the American public, including eight-year-old Tad Lincoln (1853-1871). The presidential tot purportedly requested that his photograph be taken with Anderson's image. Anderson signed this letter just four days prior to his promotion to Brigadier General.

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