Description:

Civil War John W. Geary, Civil War Brigadier General, Signed Military Commission as Pennsylvania Governor

 

Three military commissions, ca. September 1862 - May 1871, including one signed by John White Geary (1819-1873), a Union Army Brigadier General and the 16th Governor of Pennsylvania. All three documents relate to the military career of Charles W. Forrester, during the Civil War an officer of the Columbia County Tigers and 84th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after the war, an aide-de-camp and colonel in the National Guard of Pennsylvania.

 

The lot features gorgeous "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence" state seal vignettes. All of the pieces are currently framed behind heavy-duty plastic; not examined out of these containers.

 

The lot includes:

 

1. 1p document on paper signed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on September 17, 1862, recognizing Forrester's promotion to Second Lieutenant of the Columbia County Tigers. Signed by Andrew Gregg Curtain (1815/17-1894), 15th Governor of Pennsylvania, as "A.G. Curtain" at upper left, and by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Samuel B. Thomas at lower right. With embossed green seal at upper left. Expected folds, and a faint reverse impression of the seal. A 2.5" long closed tear at top. Else near fine. 17" x 13.75".

 

2. 1p document on paper signed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1864, recognizing Forrester's promotion to Adjutant First Lieutenant of the 84th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Signed by Governor Curtain as "A.G. Curtain" at upper left, and by Secretary of the Commonwealth Eli Slifer at lower right. With embossed red seal at upper left. Expected folds, and a few minor tears along those folds. A faint reverse impression of the seal, else near fine. 17" x 13.75".

 

3. 1p document on paper signed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1871, recognizing Forrester's promotion to Aide-de-Camp and Colonel of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. Signed by Governor John W. Geary as "Jno. W. Geary" at upper left, and by Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth J.M. Meakley at lower right. With embossed blue seal at upper left. Expected folds, and a few minor tears along those folds. A faint reverse impression of the seal, else near fine. 16" x 17".

 

John W. Geary assumed the Pennsylvania governorship after predecessor Curtain's six-year-long wartime tenure. Geary had an impressive military and political track record that distinguished him from other candidates. During the Mexican-American and Civil Wars, he was wounded 10 times at major battles, including many serious injuries. Geary was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in 1862. He was the first mayor of San Francisco and a territorial governor of Kansas before serving as governor of Pennsylvania between 1867-1873.

 

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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